Jason Day has rebounded from a dreaded double bogey at TPC Sawgrass’s most iconic hole to lead the Australian challenge at the prestigious and mega-money Players Championship in Florida.<\/p>\n
Day, the 2017 winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship $US25 million ($35 million) event, carved out a two-under-par 72 to be three shots off the pace after the weather-hit first round.<\/p>\n
Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges, Sahith Theegala, Austin Smotherman and Austrian Sepp Straka share the lead at five under after rain forced a morning stoppage and late suspension of play at golf’s unofficial fifth major championship.<\/p>\n
While McNealy, Hodges, Theegala and Straka all posted 67s, darkness left Smotherman needing to return on Friday morning (Saturday AEDT) with a short birdie putt to reach six under and snare the solo first-round lead.<\/p>\n
Two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas is among four players in a tie for sixth just one stroke back on a cluttered leaderboard devoid of the sport’s biggest names.<\/p>\n
World number one Scottie Scheffler could only manage an even-par 72, while defending champion Rory McIlroy opened with a 74 to be tied for 69th after withdrawing from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational with back spasms.<\/p>\n
After missing two straight cuts since opening the year with a runner-up showing at The American Express, Day finally rediscovered some form a month out from the Masters.<\/p>\n
Scrambling brilliantly, the former world No.1 conjured four birdies, his otherwise tidy round only tarnished by finding the water off the tee on the par-3 island hole.<\/p>\n
In contrast, Adam Scott almost aced the 17th, only to pull his drive into the water at the last to rack up a double of his own in a round of 72.<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old is making his 24th appearance at TPC Sawgrass, the most of any player in the field, and still seeking a second victory after saluting back in 2005.<\/p>\n
Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee also carded a 72 despite opening the day with a double on the first hole.<\/p>\n
Fresh off an impressive top 10 at Bay Hill, Lee dug deep with four birdies on the back nine to stay in the mix.<\/p>\n
Karl Vilips also rallied late for a one-over 73, but Cam Davis’s woes continued with a 77 as he battled to make the halfway cut.<\/p>\n