Baddeley has the dubious stat of hitting most balls in the water surrounding the 133-yard hole than any competitor since 2003 – rinsing 13 shots.

Only Phil Mickelson and Bob Tway (nine) have come close to Baddeley's record.

The 17th has played a large role in the dramatic finish at the Players with many competitors stumbling when having to hold their tee shots on its island green.

"I used to freak out on that hole," Baddeley told AAP. "I haven't got the best record on 17. In the past I haven't hit the ball all that straight."

Baddeley, who has eight missed cuts from 14 appearances, attributes his poor play at the 17th, and TPC Sawgrass in general, to tinkering with his golf swing too often.

But the 37-year-old seems to have brought his ball-striking up to a similar standard to his putting, which has been world-class throughout his career.

In 2015, when countryman Jason Day and Jordan Spieth won three majors between them and shared the World No.1 spot, Baddeley still ranked first on the PGA Tour for strokes gained in putting.

Baddeley tied second at the recent Puerto Rico Open prior to contending at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational – where he came within a shot of the lead midway through the final round only to stumble on the back nine.

"The way I've been hitting the ball, I find the 17th a lot easier," Baddeley said.

"I've got confidence to swing my swing and it's going to go where I'm aiming."

RIGHT: Baddeley has hit the most balls in the water surrounding the 133-yard hole than any competitor since 2003. PHOTO: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

Fellow Australian Cameron Smith also has a lacklustre history at the Players despite the Ponte Vedra Beach resident using Sawgrass as his home base to practise and play.

World No.24 Smith has missed the cut in his two only to appearances at golf's unofficial fifth major.

But the 25-year-old puts that down to playing TPC Sawgrass in non-tournament condition.

"I think in the past two years I've played a bit too much golf at the course when it's not prepped for the tournament; the course plays so much different outside the Players," Smith said.

"With a huge volume of (visitors) playing the course every day they have to keep the greens and fairways longer."

Rounding out the Australian contingent at the Players is 2016 winner Day, 2004 champion Adam Scott and World No.19 Marc Leishman.

The Players Championship will this week field every player within the world's top 50, including big guns Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Its US$12.5 million purse is the richest on the PGA Tour.

- Evin Priest, Australian Associated Press