Overview
- The PGA Tour confirmed two spotlight groups for the opening rounds at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
- Defending champion Rory McIlroy will play alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele in one of the featured trios.
- McIlroy arrives after a back spasm at Bay Hill led to him not playing the weekend, sharpening focus on his health ahead of his title defense.
- World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is grouped with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas, with Scheffler viewed as a favorite given his strong recent results at Sawgrass.
- Thomas missed the cut at Bay Hill in his first start since a back injury, while Fleetwood made the weekend there but did not contend.