Tommy Fleetwood's TPC Sawgrass Habit That Most Pros Avoid May Give Him an Edge
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 11: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Tommy Fleetwood speaks at a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz on February 11, 2026, during a practice round for the PGA AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links at Pebble Beach, California. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 11 PGA AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26021117
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 11: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Tommy Fleetwood speaks at a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz on February 11, 2026, during a practice round for the PGA AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links at Pebble Beach, California. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 11 PGA AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26021117
Tommy Fleetwood returns to TPC Sawgrass for the 2026 PLAYERS Championship, and the current FedExCup champion has a distinct method for the notoriously complex island green 17th hole.
While many players will not make use of the drop zone unless instructed to do so by a referee, Fleetwood is actively practicing from the designated drop zone on the 17th before the tournament.
"I just like the idea of hitting a bunch of those kinds of shots, and that is just the way I feel," Fleetwood said regarding his preparation for the famous par-3.
At Ponte Vedra Beach, the Englishman spoke to the press, noting that his approach includes overcoming the mental hurdles that come with a tournament of this caliber.
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Tommy Fleetwood of England tees off on the 16th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2026 on February 15, 2026 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 15 PGA, Golf Herren AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602151904
PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Tommy Fleetwood of England tees off on the 16th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2026 on February 15, 2026 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 15 PGA, Golf Herren AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602151904
It was clarified that this is not to be viewed as an example of negative thinking. However, it is still true that, with each shot, he must be prepared for any eventuality, given that the water is an ever-present barrier.
"Of course, I am not planning on hitting it in the water, but at the same time, I think the hole has its—has enough like mental challenges that if you do hit it in the water, you just want to be prepared," Fleetwood said.
Fleetwood's method of tackling the 17th hole is surely inspired by some of the legendary golfers.
Learning from the Pressures of Professional Golf
Fleetwood noted his tenacious preparation compared to the challenges other players, like Shane Lowry, have had to deal with when it comes to closing out major tournaments under the highest pressure.
Regardless of how the tournament ends, he believes that being in contention and losing is a more positive experience than being out of contention altogether.
"I would have rather been in contention on the last hole and hit it in the water and lost by one than, you know, finish 49th," Fleetwood said.
His ability to manage expectations and learn from the experience, in his case, was winning the TOUR Championship at East Lake last year.
Because he practices from the drop zone, he knows what to expect at every situational moment, and that is a lesson he has learned from many years of competing at the top tier of golf.
From March 12 to March 15, the tournament will show us what his preparations will yield, whether it will be a victory or just a splash in the water.
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Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Kalp Thaker