Modifications add further intrigue to Players puzzle

The Stadium Course at Sawgrass has been extensively overhauled since last year’s tournament, starting with the installation of TifEagle Bermudagrass greens to provide superior putting surfaces.

The 12th has been transformed into a driveable par four, while rough was removed on several holes so wayward tee shots would bound into pine straw. Short grass has been added around some greens to promote creativity. Several greens have been expanded to add hole locations.

1 423 yards, par 4
An accurate drive is required on this slight dogleg right, with a long fairway bunker, water hazard and grass bunkers to the right of the fairway and dense trees to the left. The green is well protected by bunkers.

The view from the first teeCredit: Richard Heathcote

2 532 yards, par 5
Most players will attempt to reach the green of this relatively short par five in two shots. The sloped landing area is flanked by dense trees and a water hazard to the right, while there are deep bunkers on both sides of the green.

3 177 yards, par 3
The two-tiered green slopes from back to front and there is a bunker in front and to the right. There are likely to be more birdies scored here than on the other par-three holes.

4 384 yards, par 4
Accuracy is paramount to avoid a deep bunker to the right of the fairway and a water hazard that cuts across it, while there are large and severely sloped mounds to the left of the narrow landing area. The undulating, two-tiered green is one of the toughest on the course.

5 471 yards, par 4
The longest par four on the course offers a generous landing area, but a deep, narrow, rolling green protected by bunkers, a waste area and palm trees make this one of the hardest holes and most players will be happy with a par.

6 393 yards, par 4
This will be a test of players’ short games as the slightly elevated green is protected by maintained bunkers, grass bunkers and clustered palm trees. Any approach shots even narrowly off-target will result in a tricky lie.

7 451 yards, par 4
The driving area at this hole is large but a vast fairway bunker and a lateral water hazard almost the entire length of the hole guards the left side of the fairway while he right side is lined by thick trees. Wind direction can make for some high scores.

8 237 yards, par 3
This is the longest par three and par will be a good score. There are numerous hazards while the green is narrow and sloping.

9 583 yards, par 5
As players progress from tee to green this hole becomes significantly narrower. A lake and bunker to the right await errant tee shots, while there is thick woods to the left as players comes to their second. The green is thin and sloped.

10 424 yards, par 4
The narrow landing area for the drive of this dogleg left demands accuracy, with a large bunker down the left side of the fairway and very dense trees to the right. Grass bunkers crowd the entire left side of the green, with two large maintained bunkers to the right.

11 558 yards, par 5
A long and accurate drive is required to reach the green in two. The fairway is split by a water hazard and two large bunkers and a bunker covers the front of the green.

12 358 yards, par 4
A major redesign since last year’s tournament has turned this hole into a risk-reward driveable par four. There is a large water hazard to the left of the green, while to the right several pot bunkers and some difficult terrain lie in wait.

Rickie Fowler plays the 12th hole prior to the redesignCredit: Mike Ehrmann

13 181 yards, par 3
A water hazard runs down the left of the fairway of this picturesque par three. The green has three tiers and the left slide slopes heavily towards the water.

14 481 yards, par 4
This is traditionally the toughest hole, and the landing area from the tee is very narrow with a bunker running down the left side. Between the driving area and the green is another vast bunker.

15 470 yards, par 4
This hole plays 20 yards longer this year thanks to new tee positions. Players have to drive their first shot through trees and over water and there is a large bunker to the left of the green.

16 523 yards, par 5
This short par five offers a good opportunity to reach the green in two shots. The second shot has to clear a water hazard, while the green has two tiers, sloping left to right toward the water that wraps around the rear.

17 137 yards, par 3
The iconic island hole needs no introduction. Wind speed is critical.

18 462 yards, par 4
Constant accuracy is of the utmost importance on this hole. Water guards the full length of the hole to the left, while large spectator mounds and trees line the right. A collection of grass bunkers is situated in the front-right section of the green, while a lone maintained bunker stops shots hit left and long.