A Wild Opening Round Full of Twists, Turns, and Island Green Drama

Spoiler: TPC Sawgrass is still the ultimate equalizer.

The Players Championship kicked off with a bang on Thursday, and if the first round is any indication, we’re in for a wild weekend. From surprise leaders to jaw-dropping shots (and a few jaw-dropping misses), the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass delivered its usual mix of brilliance and chaos. Let’s dive into the highlights.

Camilo Villegas: Coaching from Singapore, Leading at Sawgrass

Camilo Villegas is no stranger to grinding, but his preparation for The Players Championship was anything but ordinary. The day before the tournament, Villegas was on the phone with his swing coach, Jose Luis Campra, who’s currently caddying for Sebastian Munoz at a LIV Golf event in Singapore.

“It was 9 a.m. here, it was 9 p.m. there,” Villegas said. “We worked for a couple hours. He’s always available for me. So it’s great.”

Whatever they tweaked, it worked. Villegas fired a 6-under 66, including five birdies on the back nine, to grab a share of the early lead. Not bad for a guy who was on the verge of losing his PGA Tour card just two years ago.

Lucas Glover: Putting on a Show (and Making Us All Nervous)

Lucas Glover, the 45-year-old former U.S. Open champion, is having a late-career resurgence, and he showed why on Thursday. Glover carded nine birdies—yes, nine—en route to a 66 of his own, tying Villegas and J.J. Spaun for the lead.

Glover’s round was a masterclass in clutch putting. He rolled in 120 feet of putts, including a birdie on the infamous island-green 17th and another on the 18th to cap off his day.

“I deep down believe I can still compete out here at 45,” Glover said. “I don’t want to stop anytime soon.”

Considering he’s overcome the yips and won back-to-back events in 2023, we’re not betting against him.

Rory McIlroy: Escaping Trouble (and Making It Look Easy)

Rory McIlroy’s round of 67 was a testament to his creativity and resilience. He made four birdies from spots where most players would be happy just to save par—including a miraculous punch shot from the pine straw on the 18th that set up a 7-foot birdie putt.

“You’re just hoping for a backswing and a gap, and I had both of those,” McIlroy said. “It was a bonus to get it up on the green and hole the putt. A lovely way to finish.”

Rory’s ability to turn trouble into triumph is why he’s always a threat, even on a course as demanding as TPC Sawgrass.

Scottie Scheffler: Steady as Always

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler didn’t light up the leaderboard, but he didn’t shoot himself out of the tournament either. A 2-under 69 kept him well within striking distance, even if he felt he left a few shots out there.

“I hit a lot of good shots today,” Scheffler said. “I just didn’t quite get the most out of my round.”

Given his recent form, don’t be surprised if Scheffler makes a move over the next three days.

The Island Green: Friend or Foe?

As always, the par-3 17th hole provided plenty of drama. Justin Lower had the shot of the day, holing out from the drop zone after his tee shot found the water. Meanwhile, Max Greyserman wasn’t so lucky—he put two balls in the drink and walked away with a quadruple bogey.

The 17th is the ultimate equalizer, and it proved once again why it’s one of the most iconic holes in golf.

Notable Struggles: Thomas, Hovland, and Spieth

It wasn’t all sunshine and birdies on Thursday. Justin Thomas hit four tee shots into the water and limped to a 78. Viktor Hovland had three double bogeys in his round of 80. And Jordan Spieth, despite an eagle and a birdie in his first six holes, had to settle for a 70 after an erratic day off the tee.

“That’s the thing about this place,” Glover said. “The margins are razor thin. You get off just a little, and you can make big numbers in a hurry.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

What’s Next?

With darkness suspending play, five players—including Max McGreevy, who was at 5 under—will finish their first rounds Friday morning. Then, it’s back to the grind for everyone as the cut line looms and the pressure builds.

One thing’s for sure: TPC Sawgrass never disappoints. Whether you’re a fan of birdie barrages or trainwreck rounds, The Players Championship has something for everyone.

Your Turn: Who’s Your Pick to Win?

At Better Golf Academy, we love a good underdog story. Will it be Villegas, Glover, or someone else entirely? Let us know your predictions in the comments—and don’t forget to tune in for what’s sure to be an unforgettable weekend of golf!

The Players Championship: Round 1 Leaderboard (Top 10)

As of Thursday, March 14, 2025

Position	Player	Score	Thru	Total
T1	Lucas Glover (USA)	-6	18	-6
T1	J.J. Spaun (USA)	-6	18	-6
T1	Camilo Villegas (COL)	-6	18	-6
T4	Min Woo Lee (AUS)	-5	18	-5
T4	Billy Horschel (USA)	-5	18	-5
T4	Rory McIlroy (NIR)	-5	18	-5
T4	Akshay Bhatia (USA)	-5	18	-5
T4	Max McGreevy (USA)	-5	16	-5
T9	Alex Smalley (USA)	-4	18	-4
T9	Stephan Jäger (GER)	-4	18	-4

Notable Names Just Outside the Top 10

• T9: Aaron Rai (ENG), Bud Cauley (USA), Denny McCarthy (USA), Chandler Phillips (USA), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Rickie Fowler (USA), Trey Mullinax (USA), Sam Ryder (USA), Laurie Canter (ENG).

Key Takeaways

1. Three-Way Tie at the Top: Lucas Glover, J.J. Spaun, and Camilo Villegas are co-leading at -6.
2. Rory McIlroy Lurking: Rory is just one shot back at -5, showing his ability to grind even when not at his best.
3. Max McGreevy’s Unfinished Round: McGreevy is at -5 through 16 holes and will finish his round Friday morning.
4. Depth of the Field: With 14 players at -4 or better, the leaderboard is packed, and the weekend promises plenty of drama.