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sports1d ago
Sepp Straka tied for lead at Players Championship amid delays
Espn.com and 1 more
- Sepp Straka sits tied for the lead at The Players Championship after a 5-under 67 in challenging, weather-affected conditions that mixed wind, rain, sun and darkness.
- The opening round featured a 12-hour saga with delays as weather and darkness halted play at Sawgrass, producing dramatic finishes when conditions improved.
- Rory McIlroy, who missed Bay Hill with back trouble, reported minimal pain during The Players round aside from the putter, contending with a 74 despite limited stroke length.
- Collin Morikawa withdrew after one hole due to back issues during practice, continuing a theme of notable withdrawals amid Sawgrass' wild conditions.
- Scottie Scheffler struggled in round one, failing to break par as wet and windy conditions challenged his game early at Sawgrass.
- Justin Thomas opened with three straight birdies and closed in 68, signaling a strong return from back surgery as he moved into contention.
- Cameron Young, Russell Henley and Taylor Moore joined the late-68 cluster, with Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau in the 69s amid a crowded leaderboard.
- Austin Smotherman led at 5 under late in the round but darkness threatened a finish, with teammates marking his final hole for the morning.
- The Players featured dramatic finishes on the 12th and 16th, including Straka’s eagle on the 16th and a clutch par-save on the 18th that showcased composure under pressure.
- AP coverage highlighted Straka's bogey-free round, his scrambling on the back nine, and a 12-foot par-saving putt on No. 10 as pivotal moments on a wild day.
- Even as Straka held a share of the lead, the day underscored how weather and delays can redefine momentum, with several big-name players navigating the unsettled conditions.
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