Hayden Buckley aces No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass during 2023 Players Championship

The opening round of the Players Championship started off with fireworks Thursday: PGA Tour pro Hayden Buckley converted a hole-in-on on the iconic island green at TPC Sawgrass.

With the front-hole location for Thursday's round, Buckley opted for a pitching wedge. Off the tee, his shot came out at 106 miles per hour and lofted to an apex of 81 feet, before it fell on the green, about 20 feet past the hole and slightly to the right. The ball bounced and caught a slope, allowing it to carry enough pace to roll into the cup.

Buckley, who started the opening round of the Players Championship on the back-nine and was part of the second group to reach No. 17 Thursday, took off jogging in celebration and threw his cap into the air. He high-fived the other golfers and caddies in his group and tossed his club in jubilation.

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This marks only the 10th time since 1991 that a PGA Tour pro has converted a hole-in-one at No. 17 during the Players Championship.

Who is Hayden Buckley?

Buckley, 27, is currently ranked 27th in the FedEx Cup Standings. He has never won a PGA Tour event, though he has two top-10 placements in 2022-23. He went pro in 2018 and is a former walk-on at Missouri. His best career finish came in January at the Sony Open at Hawaii, when he was runner up to eventual winner Si Woo Kim. 

Since then, Buckley has missed his last three cuts. He is currently ranked 107th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Who else has aced the iconic 17th at TPC Sawgrass?

Since 1991, only 10 players have aced the par-3 No. 17 at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

2023: Hayden Buckley, 1st round

2022: Shane Lowry, 3rd round

2019: Ryan Moore, 1st round

2017: Sergio García, 1st round

2016: Willy Wilcox, 2nd round

2002: Miguel Ángel Jimenez, 1st round

2000: Paul Azinger, 3rd round

1999: Joey Sindelar, 1st round

1997: Fred Couples, final round

1991: Brian Claar, 3rd round

Contributing: Adam Schupak, Golfweek