PGA Tour implements internal out of bounds on No. 18 at TPC Sawgrass
The PGA Tour announced it implemented internal out of bounds on TPC Sawgrass' 18th hole to prevent players from driving it over the pond and onto the ninth hole at this week's Players Championship.
"In the interest of safety for spectators, volunteers, and other personnel, The Players Championship Rules Committee has installed an internal out of bounds left of the lake for play of hole 18," the Tour said in a statement.
Bryson DeChambeau was the driving force for the new rule. After his win at Bay Hill last week, DeChambeau said he has considered hitting it across the pond to create a better angle for the approach shot into a difficult-to-hit 18th green.
Bryson on a possible new line on the 18th hole at @TPCSawgrass:
— GOLFTV (@GOLFTV) March 9, 2021
“I have thought about sometimes on 18 going left into 9. But we’ll see, with the stands and everything, if it’s even worth it."
This tee shot line measures 330 yards, leaving 198 yards to the middle of the green. pic.twitter.com/oELo14uOLp
Last week at Bay Hill, DeChambeau hit two monster drives on the par-5 6th that carried 340 yards over water and left him with under 100 yards remaining for his second shot. He was the only player in the field to attempt the aggressive play.
Internal out of bounds has already been used twice this PGA Tour season. It was applied on two holes at the Sony Open and last week on No. 6 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.