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“Still Intimidating and Scary” Xander Schauffele Opens Up About TPC Sawgrass’ 17th at The Players

ByAditi Singh·

Mar 16, 2026, 1:00 PM CUT

Xander Schauffele USA, OCTOBER 7, 2025 - Golf : Baycurrent Classic Presented by LEXUS Designated practice round at Yokohama Country Club, Kanagawa, Japan. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN aflo_306202572

Even for a two-time major winner, there's one part of TPC Sawgrass that sticks out like a sore thumb. But even then, Xander Schauffele handled the hole without mistakes during the 2026 Players Championship. Across all four rounds, he played the 17th in even par and avoided any balls in the water.

After the round on Sunday, ten-time PGA Tour winner Schauffele reflected on the hole during his press conference and discussed how the back nine at Sawgrass can create pressure for players.

“It would have been nice to hit the correct little section there on 17. Greens are a little bit softer than years past. I think if you kind of hit the correct shot there, you can have a decent look. Still intimidating and scary. Just a lot of patience. I should say. Just really stayed patient.”

The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is known for its island green, where players must carry the ball over water to a small putting surface. The hole often becomes a turning point during The Players Championship, as a missed shot can quickly lead to penalty strokes. And we saw just how influential it can be. Eventual champion Cameron Young felt just how painful it could be to have your shot hit the water.

As for Schauffele, he finished solo third at the TPC Sawgrass. He ended the week with a total score of 11-under-par (277), finishing two strokes behind the winner, Cameron Young.

How Xander Schauffele Managed the 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass in 2026

Xander Schauffele later explained how changing wind conditions can affect shots on that part of the course, saying:

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Before embracing mallets, Scottie Scheffler wielded a blade putter to overpower the field by five shots. This triumph marked his final major victory with traditional styling before pursuing greater forgiveness in his gear. via Scotty Cameron
Scottie Scheffler made history as the first back-to-back Players champion after switching to a mallet putter. This breakthrough stemmed from four custom prototypes, transforming his greens performance, even on off days, into title-defending dominance. via TaylorMade Golf
Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship after a grueling three-hole playoff. His 34.5-inch mallet putter excelled under pressure, ranking him 10th in putting and advancing his pursuit of a career Grand Slam. via TaylorMade Golf

“The back nine is intimidating, but with this wind direction, you can kind of get after it a little bit more than normal, I'd say.”

The 32-year-old opened the tournament with a par after reaching the green and two-putting. In the second round, with a score of 65, he faced a key moment on the hole and made a 12-foot par putt to keep the round moving. 

The third round followed a similar pattern, as he secured another two-putt par while dealing with issues elsewhere on the course. 

On Sunday, his tee shot finished on the front section of the green. Schauffele rolled a 50-foot birdie attempt close to the hole before tapping in from 13 inches for par.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar