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Day 1 of the 2021 Players Championship is in the books. And Thursday’s opening round brought plenty of excitement for different reasons.
Roughly this time a year ago, this same very tournament was being called off due to the unknowns of COVID-19 at the time. Now, fast forward 12 months later, and some of the world’s best golfers are back at this very spot looking to this time finish what they started a year ago.
It's showtime @TPCSawgrass.
@THEPLAYERSChamp has begun. pic.twitter.com/92YO6jTbRj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 11, 2021
Sergio’s Big Day
At the end of Round 1 last year, Hideki Matsuyama was at the top of the leaderboard after shooting a 63 to begin the tournament. On Thursday, Sergio Garcia didn’t shoot the same score as Matsuyama but did come close with a 65.
This score was good enough to put Garcia on top of the leaderboard heading into Day 2 of action. Additionally, it was also one of the best opening rounds Garcia has ever shot while competing in The Players Championship.
https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1370071441752875009
Other Notable Performances
Brian Harman is the closest one to Garcia on the leaderboard heading into Day 2 of the tournament. Harman, like his fellow counterpart, also faired well on the greens Thursday, as he shot a 67 in opening round action.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Corey Conners and Shane Lowry all sit in a tie for third after Round 1. All three trail Harman by one stroke after shooting a 68.
Fitzpatrick found himself in first place after the first nine holes after this eagle.
https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1370036866498564102
Six golfers are all tied for the sixth spot following Day 1 action, including 2021 U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau. The six players all shot a 69 and trail Fitzpatrick, Conners and Lowry by one stroke.
What’s Ahead
Day 2 of the The Players Championship kicked off early this morning. Round 1 play was suspended due to darkness on Thursday, so 21 golfers will be rapping up their remaining holes before moving onto Round 2 action.
Garcia is set to tee off at 1 p.m. and will be paired with Webb Simpson and reigning champion Rory McIlroy. We’ll see how it all plays out when action gets underway.
