Justin Leonard destroys opening hole at TPC Sawgrass with slam dunk hole-out

Justin Leonard is making his 20th straight start at The Players Championship, the 41-year-old still out competing week-to-week on the Tour even though he’s not nearly the player he once was. But even with that long history at TPC Sawgrass, the 1998 champion did something he’s probably never done before at the Stadium Course -- destroyed the opening hole.

Leonard put his opening tee shot for the week in the middle of the fairway at No. 1, but still had 147 yards to the front-right pin location. The greens this week are especially soft, and players are taking aim at almost every pin. Leonard did that and more, slamming it right in the jar for an eagle and blowing up the lip of the cup. It required Tour officials and course maintenance to come out to the green and re-cut the hole for the rest of the field.

And here’s video of the hole-out by Leonard, who had no idea where his ball went. That’s always a good feeling when you know your shot’s tracking the flagstick. (via PGATour.com):

Not a bad way to start your week at the season’s fifth major.