What's so intimidating?Although the 17th hole officially measures 137 yards, no more than a nine-iron or pitching wedge for most of the professionals at the Players Championship, the island green is surrounded by water apart from a narrow pathway.

Add in the swirling wind, and the hole consistently plays much tougher than its par. In last year's championship, 70 balls ended up in the water.

What's the highest score?

In last year's third round, when winds of up to 35 miles per round compounded the difficulty, Bob Tway recorded a 12 there when he needed five attempts to find the green . . . and then three putted.

Of the 84 players in the final round, 37 put at least one ball into the water.

What was the previous highest score?

Robert Gamez took an 11 in the third round in 1990.

Who has the highest percentage of tee shots into the water?

Between 2003-2005, there were 59 players that had a total of 10 or more attempts to the 17th with Heath Slocum claiming the dubious distinction of having put most balls into the water.

Of 10 attempts, Slocum had four water balls for a 40 per cent average, with Robert Gamez and Mike Weir on 30 per cent.

Tiger Woods was one of three players with a 25 per cent average, having three water balls from 12 attempts.

Is it the toughest hole on the course?

No. Last year, the par four 18th hole again played as the most difficult with a stroke average of 6.0 - 28 players hit their tee shots into the water that runs down the left, while 11 players drove into the right rough.

- Philip Reid