PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Fox treated the fans at TPC Sawgrass to a rare treat on Thursday – an eagle and an ace back-to-back on Nos. 16 and 17.
Fox, a 37-year-old New Zealand native, became the first player to make back-to-back eagles at any two holes at the Stadium Course during the 2024 Players Championship since the PGA Tour began recording data in 1983 (the first Players was played at the course in 1982.)
Fox started his round on the back nine and arrived at the par-5 16th hole after making consecutive bogeys. But he struck his second shot from 180 yards to 2 feet and tapped in for eagle at the 516-yard par 5.
With the flag located on the front portion of the green, Fox followed with an ace of the 124-yard island green at 17. Fox’s short iron hit 5 feet behind the hole and spun back in for his second eagle in a matter of minutes. Fox lifted his arms straight to the sky in jubilation for making the 14th hole-in-one at the famed island green.
The back-to-back eagles lifted him to 3 under through eight holes in the first round of the Players.
HOLE-IN-ONE FOR @RYANFOXGOLFER!
He lights up the Island Green @THEPLAYERS
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— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024