PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - As if the TPC Sawgrass didn't have enough water at The Players Championship.
The biggest change to the Players Stadium Course for this year was the par-4 12th hole, which used to have trees on the right, huge mounds on the left and a flip wedge into a small green surrounded with bunkers.
For 35 years, it played at 358 yards and was the easiest par 4 on the course.
Now it's even shorter at 302 yards, making it easily reachable for most players in the field. Like most drivable par 4s, it comes with a severe risk. And like most holes at the TPC Sawgrass, that risk involves water.
"It was just kind of a plain-Jane kind of a whole where you just kind of hit it down the fairway with an iron and flick it on with a wedge," defending champion Jason Day said. "Now they still have that option of doing that, but you have the option of actually hitting a driver or 3-wood up there as well."
The hole features pot bunkers to the right, but the big problem is a pond to the left of the green.
Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Bernd Wiesberger approached the 12th Wednesday and all hit 4- and 5-irons out to the fairway before giving it a shot with their drivers (McIlroy used a 3-wood). Branden Grace only hit driver.
What matters is how they played it when it counts, today, and much will depend on the pin position.
Jordan Spieth said he "lipped out for a 1" when he played it Tuesday. His caddie, Michael Greller, had an interesting observation.
"Michael said that was the worst thing you could have done because now I believe I can do it each time," Spieth said. He said he would contemplate trying to drive the green except when the pin is to the right.