Getty Image / Carmen Mandato
It’s no secret to anyone who has ever picked up a club that golf is hard, probably the hardest sport out there. We’ve all had times when we would much rather throw our clubs in the nearest water hazard than play another hole, and, PGA Tour Nick Watney experienced that in the worst way Thursday at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.
The 41-year-old reached a career-high world ranking of ninth in 2011, and has nine professional wins, including five on the PGA Tour. But, his career may be remembered most for his complete meltdown on the green in Thursday’s first round.
Watney made an opening-hole triple bogey. Now, you’d think that a PGA Tour player would not have a hole worse than a triple bogey in a round. You thought wrong.
Watney actually played the next six holes in one under par, and came to the very difficult and famous island green 17th hole +2.
But, That all unraveled on the famed 17th hole. The former Fresno State Bulldog hit his tee shot into the water. That’s no big deal, plenty of players have fallen victim to that. And, he went to the drop zone and hit his 3rd shot to 30 feet, easy range for a two-putt double bogey.
Well, it took him a lot more than two putts. He lagged to five feet, and then disaster struck.
There are no gimmes on the PGA TOUR.
Nick Watney cards a quadruple bogey at 17th hole. pic.twitter.com/3omjPExJHY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 9, 2023
Oh no. That is pathetic. Shades of Ernie Els at the Masters.
April 7, 2016: Ernie Els with a brutal seven putt on the first hole at The Masters for a disastrous 10 (🎥 via SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/yYqhx1zF0g
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) April 7, 2022
He did bounce back just a few holes later by chipping in for an eagle.
Bouncing back 💪
Nick Watney holes out for eagle on No. 2 after making a quadruple bogey on No. 17 @THEPLAYERSChamp. pic.twitter.com/UT9TyZLXko
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 9, 2023
The first round was suspended with Watney at +4 with three holes remaining.