The Players is off to a wild start. And by wild, we do mean animalistic.
At least, that was the story on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday. This hole has an interesting history of battling rough waters and feathered foes. But a golf ball stood its ground in Round 1 when a seagull landed on the green and started to challenge it.
Lucky for the competitor who had hit said shot — his name is cropped out of the footage — the seagull backed off instead of stealing the ball. He was already five over par at this point and didn’t need any man or bird making his job harder.
History of Seagulls on 17 at The Players
PGA Tour fans who regularly tune in to watch The Players know this particular seagull run-in could have gone much, much worse.
In fact, Thursday marked the 28th anniversary of a seagull stealing Brad Fabel’s golf ball at — drumroll, please — the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass. The winged resident at the Ponte Vedra Beach golf course carried the ball over the water and promptly dropped it in.
Fortunately for Fabel, he was able to replace the ball without being penalized.
This 137-yard par 3 is difficult enough to hit without winged warriors getting involved. The notorious “Island Green” is surrounded by water, except for a small walkway leading to it. According to CBS Sports, over 1,000 golf balls have been hit into the water on 17 since 2003.
Weather Marks Wild Start to The Players 2026
Resident fowl haven’t been the only threat in the first round of The Players 2026.
Play was delayed for just under half an hour on Thursday due to expected rain in the area. Action resumed just a little after noon Eastern time, with later tee times being pushed back by only 30 minutes.
Heavy Sports previously wrote that inclement weather is expected to hit this weekend’s event. Wind gusts are projected to hit over 20 mph, which could make the Island Green even harder to hit. The forecast also calls for scattered thunderstorms over the weekend, which could further postpone play.
Big Storylines Heading Into The Players 2026
Hopefully, this seagull wasn’t seeking fame, because there are bigger headlines at play heading into this tournament.
Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Collin Morikawa was forced to withdraw from The Players just after he started the first round.
“I felt fine in warm-up. Like nothing’s been any signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone,” Morikawa said, via Golfweek. “I just had the feeling before when it’s happened. And I just, I can’t swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It’s just the worst thing in the world.”
Speaking of back issues, Rory McIlroy is scheduled to tee off later in the day. The defending Players champion bowed out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational just before the third round due to muscle spasms in his back. McIlroy took practice swings at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday, but did not get a full practice round in.