Dustin Johnson takes a new route to birdie on The Players short 12th

Dustin Johnson took the scenic route to birdie on No. 12. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ka8Gg4KmwP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 14, 2017

This probably wasn’t exactly how the PGA Tour imagined the new short par-4 12th would be played at The Players Championship.

Dustin Johnson took a crack at the reimagined hole on Sunday, trying to get to the green and snag an unlikely eagle 2 on a hole that hasn’t invited as much aggression off the tee as perhaps hoped. However, Johnson didn’t pull off his desired shot, instead pulling it 50 yards left of the water hazard running up the second half of the hole. The world No. 1’s ball landed among the fans on the hill.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – MAY 14: Dustin Johnson plays his shot during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 14, 2017, in Ponte Vedra Beach . (Photo by Jennifer Perez/PGA TOUR)

That meant Johnson had to size up a downhill-sloping pitch over the water hazard to a tight location. A muffed chip could land in the water.

No problem for Johnson. He landed his ball just short and right of the hole location, curling it up inside a foot for an easy birdie.

The response from the crowd was great, but Johnson’s was better, looking like he finally found something he liked about the new hole. Maybe that’s his new plan of attack?!

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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