Rory McIlroy got off to a great start Thursday at TPC Sawgrass.
In fact, through the first three holes of the his opening round, McIlroy had done something he’s never done before in 13 prior Players Championship starts, as noted by stats guru Justin Ray:
Shooting 3 under with three birdies.
McIlroy kicked things off at the par-4 10th hole, sticking his approach shot to 5 feet and making the putt.
It's not even 9 a.m. @THEPLAYERS and @McIlroyRory is already making birdie. pic.twitter.com/Qt5EuHpqbR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
He then hit the green in two at the par-5 11th and two-putted for another birdie, this time from 60 feet. His third birdie, at the short par-4 12th, came from 5 feet again after McIlroy left himself just 64 yards for his approach into that hole.
-3 thru 3 for @McIlroyRory 🐦🐦🐦
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
The 2019 @THEPLAYERS champ is locked in. pic.twitter.com/4OC8SlXK2v
McIlroy drained a 15-footer at the par-4 14th to take the outright lead at 4 under.
Five holes, four birdies.@McIlroyRory is setting the tone @THEPLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/FWuvIu56oW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
And at the par-5 16th, he hit his second three-shotter in just two swings. A two-putt from 26 feet pushed him to 5 under, and a hole later, at the par-3 17th, McIlroy stuck his tee shot to 6 feet at the island hole and rolled in a sixth birdie putt of the front nine.
There is little margin for error on No. 17.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
Not a problem for solo leader @McIlroyRory. pic.twitter.com/hwgNIcEVHQ
Unfortunately, McIlroy couldn’t finish strong. He rinsed his tee shot at the par-4 18th and made bogey after dropping 293 yards from the hole.
McIlroy still turned in 5-under 31 and didn’t let the lost shot on 18 deter his round. He birdied Nos. 2 and 4, before adding this one at the par-4 sixth to reach 8 under par for the tournament.
Ninth birdie of the day 🔥@McIlroyRory continues to cruise. pic.twitter.com/KdRwkLfw92
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
Once again, however, McIlroy found water off the tee, this time at the par-4 seventh. After a lengthy discussion with playing competitors Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland as to where the ball crossed land, McIlroy eventually dropped and then dropped two shots with a double.
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland discuss McIlroy's drop on No. 7.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
Rory makes double bogey to move from solo leader to T2. pic.twitter.com/dkV6a5Q22W
Now trailing leader Xander Schauffele by one, McIlroy tied the clubhouse lead by making birdie on the par-5 ninth for a 7-under 65.
Rory McIlroy birdies his final hole of the day to tie the lead and cap off an excellent opening 65 at TPC Sawgrass. 📈
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 14, 2024
📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | #THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/Yr9fzfsi0D
