Five golfers are at -5 atop THE PLAYERS leaderboard though one round (Austin Smotherman, Sepp Straka, Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges, Sahith Theegala.)
Notably missing from those names are the three most talked about players leading into the tournament (Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy.)
The presence of the elements were certainly felt Thursday as a downpour led to a brief delay and strong wind gust approaching 20 mph.
Before players tee off at 7:40 a.m. Friday creating new memories, here are some of the best shots and highlights from Thursday.
Read: Fans guide to THE PLAYERS 2026 ⛳| Everything you need to know before you go
9 eagles in the first round of @THEPLAYERS.#EaglesForImpact
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2026
(Presented by @MorganStanley) pic.twitter.com/UMrLEVvszq
Shot of the day‼️
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2026
Co-leader Sahith Theegala with an impressive 99-yard hole-out for eagle on No. 12 @THEPLAYERS.
(Powered by @ComcastBusiness) pic.twitter.com/yUomGHqaq8
Austin Smotherman will begin Friday with a 15-footer for birdie to conclude Round 1 @THEPLAYERS ... which would give him the official 18-hole lead. pic.twitter.com/MEYK4uLrVO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2026
From the rough ... on the downslope 😬
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
"Nobody hits that shot better than Jason Day."
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/LmUW23cMma
>>> STREAM ACTION SPORTS JAX 24/7 LIVE <<<
Eagle to tie the lead!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
Sepp Straka is cooking @THEPLAYERS.
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/X8Yam6mpc6
Only seven birdies all day at the 17th, and @Mike_kim714 just grabbed his from 46 feet out ‼️
— Golfbet (@Golfbet) March 12, 2026
The +2100 "Birdie or Better" ticket cashes 🤑
📺 PGA TOUR LIVE Betcast presented by @DKSportsbook pic.twitter.com/ySJk80pcxI
Just as he drew it up 🤣
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
Sahith Theegala makes eagle at No. 12 and is now 4-under @THEPLAYERS!
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/8Fl8KLxYGw
Sahith did WHAT!?
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/FJsILG7utz
The rough is JUICY at TPC Sawgrass 😬
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
Ryo Hisatsune pays the price for missing the fairway.
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/5ZvGR3YPCs
Wait for it ...
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2026
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/Ih9oOzoft4
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