Why one tree on a tee box is the talk of TPC Sawgrass ahead of the 2025 Players

USA Today

12-03-2025

Why one tree on a tee box is the talk of TPC Sawgrass ahead of the 2025 Players
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Scottie Scheffler on the pressure of being No. 1 in the world
Scottie Scheffler dished on the challenge of being the No. 1 player in the world at the Players Championship.
A tree that was removed from the sixth hole at TPC Sawgrass in 2014 has been replaced.
The original tree, an oak, was removed due to disease, but a nearly identical tree was transplanted from elsewhere on the course.
The tree is known for impacting players' tee shots, with some pros believing it was an unfair obstacle.
A tree is back at the par-4 sixth hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
For the first time since the 2014 Players Championship, PGA Tour players will have the far-reaching branches of an oak tree planted on the right side of the tees of the 413-yard hole in their view and possibly in their heads when they tee it up in the 2025 Players Championship.
And it won't look much different from the tree that was there from the beginning when the course opened in 1980, just another device by architect Pete Dye to play with everyone's heads on a tee shot that otherwise would be a pretty straightforward 3-wood or iron off the tee from the back tees.
'We certainly felt like Pete Dye left the tree there to be an intregal part of part of the golf course,' said Players executive director Lee Smith on Feb. 10 during a tour of the changes made to the golf course. 'Bringing it back, we always thought, was going to be a great nod to him.'
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Replacement tree was close at hand
The original tree developed a disease in 2014, which forced the TPC Sawgrass agronomy staff to remove it when a crack developed in the large overhanging branch. Tour officials feared the branch might eventually snap off during high winds and didn't want to risk injury to anyone.
Parts of the tree were able to be saved to carve and shape for items such as benches at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, for souvenirs and display purposes.
But the staff of the Players, the PGA Tour and TPC Sawgrass heard enough input from people who had enjoyed seeing the tree as a landmark on the golf course, even if their golf balls got entangled with the branches or rocketed into the trunk.
Planning began shortly after the 2024 Players and rather than purchase a replacement tree from a nursery, it was decided to find a similar tree on the property and transplant it.
At the same time, they consulted PGA Tour pros, accomplished amateurs and resort players about the location of the tree and its branches, and there was a general agreement that the new tree in the old spot would be the best solution.
They didn't have to look far for another tree — only about 100 yards down the fairway. It was there that the original tree's twin was located.
Smith said it took superintendent Jeff Plotts' staff about a week to complete the process. The transplant was conducted last summer.
'They did a great job finding a tree that looks almost identical to the old tree,' Smith said. 'And now, pros have to hit that stinger tee shot against to avoid the tree limb.'
Not all pros will be pleased
Based on comments in 2015, the first Players Championship without the tree at No. 6, there's bound to be a mixed reaction this week.
"It should never have been there," said Brian Harman during the week of the 2015 Players. "You shouldn't have things like that right in your face on a par-4 tee box."
"It was in your mind but most of the guys never had to worry about hitting it," said Stewart Cink. "We all lay up off the tee on that hole anyway because of the way the bunker is shaped on the left and the palm trees on the right. If you caught [the ball] a little high on the face of your club you could hit it. Not very many guys did."
One in particular was Ernie Els, who made a double bogey after blocking his tee shot directly into the tree.
Historical data suggests No. 6 played easier without the tree. From 1983 to 2014, No. 6 averaged 4.06 strokes. From 2015 to 2024 it was a bit easier at 4.018.
"Yeah, it's good. In a way, it forces you to play the shot," Rory McIlroy said ahead of the first round. "It sort of frames it for you really nicely. You have to flight it a little bit, especially when you play practice rounds all the tee markers are hanging off the back of the box, so I'd say the tee box won't be as far back as I played it yesterday, but you still got to hit it a little -- I certainly have to hit it a little lower than my preferred launch window."
Are there any other iconic trees on the Stadium Course?
A large palm tree is in the middle of a bunker in front and to the left of the 16th green that can affect third shots into the par-5 hole.
The par-5 11th hole has an oak tree in the right rough, with its branches spreading out over the edge of the fairway.
A lone palm tee guards the entrance to the right of the first green.
A large oak is in the right rough on the par-5 ninth hole.
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