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The defending champion made quite the statement on the first tee, smashing a 300 metre bomb with driver to dismiss the concerns about his back.<\/p>\n
That powerful swing did not serve as a launching pad for his opening round, however.<\/p>\n
Back-to-back wayward tee shots led to bogeys at four and five as the afternoon field plays through annoying rain.<\/p>\n
McIlroy also duffed a chip at the par 5 second, but sat at one-over after six holes courtesy of his first birdie of the day at the sixth.<\/p>\n
LEADERBOARD: Live scores from The Players<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, two-time major-winner Collin Morikawa withdrew after one hole with a back injury.<\/p>\n Morikawa, who won his first PGA Tour title since 2023 at Pebble Beach last month, parred his opening hole at TPC Sawgrass, the 10th, but a practice swing on the 11th tee had him backing off in some discomfort.<\/p>\n The American consulted his trainer and after a few more swings withdrew. <\/p>\n \u201cI felt fine in warm-up,\u201d Morikawa said. \u201cLike nothing\u2019s been any signs of back problems. And teed it up on 11, and took one practice swing, and I just knew it was gone.<\/p>\n \u201cLike I just had the feeling before when it\u2019s happened. And I just, I can\u2019t swing through it. Trust me, I would play if I could. It\u2019s just the worst thing in the world.\u201d <\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Talking Pts – \u2018No name\u2019 to legend: Players truth behind hilarious Scott tale; inside Rory\u2019s race against the clock<\/a><\/p>\n Inside new PGA Tour chief\u2019s schedule overhaul… and the $450m question that lingers<\/a><\/p>\n Tee Times – Blockbuster groups revealed as McIlroy text sparks concern<\/a><\/p>\n It is a disappointing setback for Morikawa, who has been in fine form to start the season.<\/p>\n In addition to his win at Pebble Beach, the 29-year-old finished in a tie for seventh at Riviera and shared fifth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, coming into this year I had a lot of confidence,\u201d Morikawa said. <\/p>\n \u201cI put a lot of work into my body just to get stronger in general, get healthier, get strong, get fitter.\u201d <\/p>\n Morikawa has battled back trouble before, including at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in 2023, when he had to withdraw from the Memorial.<\/p>\n Wild weather has also been one of the biggest talking points of the first round with the morning groups playing through a storm until play was suspended for 21 minutes shortly after midday local time.<\/p>\n The afternoon tee times were pushed back half an hour, but the disruption did not stop clubhouse leader Maverick McNealy.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old American fired a five-under par 67 to sit one shot clear of Justin Thomas and Russell Henley.<\/p>\n PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 12: Maverick McNealy of the United States prepares for a shot on the 18th hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n McNealy\u2019s lead looked shaky when he missed the fairway right on the 18th, but a funny interaction with his caddie Scout, who also happens to be his younger brother.<\/p>\n \u201cI think today I just mastered the variability of what the golf course threw at us really well. It was a mixed bag of everything, felt like four different seasons out there,\u201d McNealy said. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen that wind flipped I knew 16 was going to be kind of my last birdie opportunity, so I had 8-iron into that hole and I was glad to take advantage of that, and then hung on really well the last two. <\/p>\n \u201cI think Scout and I talked through that par save on 18 really well, and he said he was going to push me in the water if I tried to cut one onto the green, so I decided to punch out.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Inside golf\u2019s obsession with \u2018fifth major\u2019… and $35m Aussie answer to \u2018money-driven agenda\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n \ufeffPGA jewel is Aussie paradise that reveals kings. After heartbreak, the next is ready to be crowned<\/a><\/p>\n