First-timers at THE PLAYERS share their thoughts on facing No. 17

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During the tournament, the stands and grass around the 17th hole will be packed with fans.

How do PLAYERS rookies feel about playing the daunting 17th hole during the tournament? Read on to find out:

• "If the wind isn't blowing, it's a good hole. But if the wind starts blowing and you get all the people sitting around it, it should be very interesting. It's a hard shot, but I'm not intimidated." -- Derek Lamely

• "I've played it in a couple of practice rounds. It depends on the wind. If it's calm, that's obviously the best scenario. It's 145 yards -- that shouldn't be hard. But It is hard to choose the right club." -- Bill Lunde

• "It's very intimidating. Especially if you are coming down the final stretch with the lead and there are 15,000 to 20,000 people around the hole. The biggest thing is to trust the wind, trust your club and hit it. Hopefully it will hit dry land. I don't mind having the crowd around. I'll just aim in the center of the target. I do remember, though, when Sean O'Hair hit two balls in the water a few years ago. The history can make it intimidating." -- Jason Day

• "I'm looking forward to it. There are two shots I've always wanted to hit in my TOUR career -- No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass and No. 16 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. I'm dying to hit both of those. I can't wait to step up and hit a shot. To be in front of that crowd and step up -- it takes guts to give it your best. I could care less if I miss the green but I don't want to hit it in the water. I'm looking forward to the challenge." -- Kris Blanks

• "First thought -- when you play it on Tiger Woods golf, it's really dang easy. And if you are aiming for the center and there's no wind, it's pretty dang easy. But if you get a little greedy during the tournament and try to aim directly for the flagstick, you'll hit it into the water. If that wind picks up, you start getting question marks in your head." -- Alex Prugh

• "It's always been fun to play the 16th at Scottsdale. But to add in that element here of the island green, it makes it even more daunting. If you know me, you know that that's the type of golf I like to play -- scary and fun. I've played No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale six times and I think I'm 2 under par. I play better when I'm nervous. That's something that every golfer wants to have, that competitive nervousness. I love it." -- James Nitties

• "It's a fun hole. If you take more risk, then there's a bigger reward. With such a short iron, if you pull off a great shot then you are usually rewarded with a birdie putt." -- D.A. Points

• "You think about it and if you're hitting the same shot from the fairway over water to a green,' you don't even give it a second thought. Why does it become so hard at 17? It's just intimidation. More pressure on the shot.'' -- Bryce Molder

• "On Tuesday or Wednesday it seems pretty easy. I know it sees to get a lot tougher for guys when the event actually starts. It cool when you can hit a shot that you've seen on TV and in many advertisements. It's to be able to play it for real. I'm looking forward to playing it the next few days to see how it changes. Initially Tuesday and Wednesday, it's not as inidimating as I'm sure it's going to be on Sunday." -- Roland Thatcher