Wyndham Clark's 'easy' remark sums up The Players as PGA Tour stars impress
The best players on the PGA Tour enjoyed a fine start to golf’s ‘fifth major’ as Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark sat atop The Players Championship leaderboard heading into Friday.
McIlroy showed flashes of his very best as he posted 10 birdies in a seven-under 65 at TPC Sawgrass, although he was also involved in a lengthy discussion with playing partners Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland over a penalty drop. Regardless, the Northern Irishman secured the early lead alongside Schauffele.
Later, US Open champion Clark made it a three-way tie at the top as he rattled off three birdies over the final four holes. World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler also impressed and is just two shots back at five-under next to Jason Day and Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg.
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Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick moved within one stroke of the lead alongside Nick Taylor as he looks to become the first English winner of The Players. There is plenty of star power fighting for position at the top of the leaderboard, and Clark suggested it was ‘easy’ to get round the Ponte Vedra, Florida course.
Speaking to Sky Sports Golf, the American said: “I was really patient out there. I don't feel like I did anything spectacular, I just kind of potted it around and made putts when I needed to.
“I really had a stress-free, ho-hum round. I didn't make too many bogeys and didn't have too many putts to make for par, so it was a pretty easy round.”
Due to limited daylight in Florida, nine players were unable to complete their opening round before play was suspended at 7.32pm local time. Jimmy Stanger was among such a group, swith the American sitting at five-under through 16 holes.
Rory McIlroy shot a seven-under during an impressive opening round at TPC Sawgrass (Getty Images)It was a low scoring day on Thursday with McIlroy setting the tone early. The four-time major champion made six birdies in his opening eight holes before recovering from a water-hit bogey at the 18th to add three more birdies.
However, he hit as many headlines for his drop after hitting the water than he did for his sensational play. Amid discussions with Spieth and Hovland, McIlroy insisted his wayward ball had bounced inside the hazard line before finding the water en route to a double-bogey.
“I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it,” McIlroy said. “It's so hard, right, because there was no TV evidence. If anything I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day we're all trying to protect ourselves and protect the field, as well.”
Schauffele joined McIlroy in a share of the lead until Clark made it a three-way tie. The 30-year-old was excellent on the back nine to draw level, but missed a birdie opportunity on the 18th to move into the solo lead. The Players continues on Friday with live coverage on Mirror Sport.
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