Pro makes ‘Fred Couples 3’ on iconic par-3 17th at Players Championship

Justin Lower had one bad swing on the most famous hole at TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course. But the one immediately after made up for it.

During Thursday’s opening round of the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Lower, who started on the back nine, had an early tee time and came to the signature hole even for the day (eight pars) before he overshot the back pin on 17, splashed his ball into the water, and had to drop.

But his par streak didn’t end. Lower took a wedge from 89 yards out, watched it bounce a few times in front of the hole and check. A couple of seconds later, it slowly dropped into the cup for an unlikely par.

Zero putts. One water ball. Two swings.

Three.

Take a bow (and a breath), @JustinLower_1.

📺 @PGATOURLIVE pic.twitter.com/MUrficFPwf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2025

It provided some early fireworks on 17. Lower’s threesome was just the second group to play it on the day.

And if this all looks familiar, it’s because Fred Couples did it back at the 1999 Players Championship. Couples’s memorable 3 came in the first round as well, although his was slightly different. Couples re-teed from the same spot to make his hole-out from a longer distance, and he also dunked his directly into the cup.

It’s never too late.

Welcome to Twitter, @FredCouplesGolf. pic.twitter.com/hjQZQh9usv

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2018

Although Couples’s even-keeled reaction following the shot—and his little smirk—might have been even cooler.