World No1 says it would be ‘cool’ to be first to retain Players title

Rory Mcilroy has been on a remarkable journey since being kicked out of an Irish bar at the Players Championship for using fake ID.

Now the world No 1 is determined to leave a further stamp on Jacksonville by becoming the first player to retain the title.

Mcilroy first teed it up in the event that certain American observers insist on calling “the fifth major” when he was 19. He missed the cut and suffered further ignominy when a bouncer recognised him and banished him from the premises.

“I’ve come a long way,” Mcilroy said, before addressing the anomaly that no defending Players champion has finished in the top 10 in the past 15 years.

“It is an opportunity. I don’t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this tournament, but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool.

“Why it’s not happened [since the inaugural event in 1974], I’m not sure, but this course can play so differently day to day, depending on wind direction, conditions… and it really doesn’t suit any one style of play. I’d love to give myself a chance.”

With seven successive top-fives on the PGA Tour, it would be a surprise not to see Mcilroy in contention for the $2.7million (£2.1million) prize on Sunday. The 30-year-old was in similar form last year when, in his own words, “I got the monkey off my back”. Now, he is world No 1, celebrating his 100th week at the summit.

“I’m very proud, and to think that I’ve spent two years of my career at the top of the world rankings is a pretty nice feeling,” he said.