McIlroy nine behind despite birdie burst

GOLF: World No 1 is bidding to become first player to win it in successive years

Rory McIlroy produced a stunning finish after a troubled start to the defence of his title at the Players Championship.

The world number one, bidding to become the first player to win the tournament two years in succession, was three over after 15 holes of his first round at Sawgrass.

That was 12 shots off the early lead set by Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who was in the clubhouse on nine under after shooting 63.

However, McIlroy closed his round with birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish at level par and take some momentum into the second round.

American Harris English and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout were two strokes behind the leader on seven under after carding 65s.

McIlroy bogeyed the par-four first and, although he clawed that back with a birdie three at the sixth, successive bogeys at seven and eight saw him slip back again.

A birdie at 13 saw hopes rise but McIlroy then ran up a double bogey six at the 15th.

McIlroy was playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who carded a 70, and Jon Rahm, who was one better.

Graeme McDowell finished for the day on four under after five birdies on the back nine took him to a 68. Tyrrell Hatton, winner on the PGA Tour at

Bay Hill last weekend, shot 69 to finish alongside Scot Martin Laird. Russell Knox carded an opening 73. Meanwhile, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has defended the decision to allow tournaments to continue during the coronavirus pandemic.

While other sports in the United States have been suspended or cancelled in response to the outbreak, PGA Tour events will go ahead as planned without spectators on site.

The policy takes effect from today’s second round of the Players Championship and continues until the Masters, which is understood to be considering its own response.

The Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship in the Dominican Republic, which was scheduled for March 26-29, has also been postponed.

Monahan told a press conference: “If you look at our venues, obviously we are an outdoor sport and here at TPC Sawgrass our players are making their way over 400 acres.

“Over the course of a round our players do socially distance themselves, so we felt like by taking the step to address the problem with our fans, we’re in a position where we can continue to operate the events, as of right now.”

Monahan said he had been in “frequent discussion” with organisers of the Masters, who are expected to give an update next week.

Golf.com senior writer Alan Shipnuck shared a text on social media from an Augusta National member which read: “I believe the tournament will be played. Discussions are ongoing.

“Limiting patrons seems likely. Might be none at all. Closing practice rounds, cancelling the Par-3... everything is on the table. Expect an announcement next week.”

“Over the course of a round our players do socially distance themselves. JAY MONAHAN

Picture: AP. Rory McIlroy made a poor start to proceedings at Sawgrass yesterday.