Players R1: 'Unreal' Rory McIlroy moves into early contention at TPC Sawgrass

Rory McIlroy made a stunning birdie from the trees on the par-4 18th to move within one shot of the lead in the first round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. 

McIlroy, 35, carded a solid 5-under 67 in the opening round to lie one shot behind Lucas Glover, Camilo Villegas and JJ Spaun after the first day's play in Florida. 

Runaway World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is also in early contention courtesy of a respectable 3-under 69.

Related: McIlroy snatches heckler's phone at The Players

Scheffler, 28, is looking to become the first player in history to win The Players Championship three years in a row.

All eyes were on the star-studded group of McIlroy, Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the first round. 

McIlroy moved quickly through the gears around the turn with four birdies in a row from the 9th.

The Northern Irishman then played an outstanding recovery shot on the par-4 18th to set up a birdie opportunity from 10 feet, which the four-time major winner drained with ease. 

McIlroy's approach shot from the trees was described as 'unreal' by those watching on in the Sky Sports Golf commentary box. 

The World No.2 is seeking the second Players title of his career having won his first in 2019. 

Watch McIlroy's shot on 18 here: 

Two-time Players champion Scheffler only made one bogey on his way to a 3-under par total, and he still very much remains the favourite (4/1) to get the job with the bookmakers, albeit narrowly over McIlroy (5/1). 

The third member of the group, Schauffele, seemingly still looked affected by his recent rib injury that forced him to miss more than two months of the season.

Schauffele made a disastrous double-bogey six on the 18th to finish the day six shots off the pace on level par. 

Three players finished the day tied for the lead - Camilo Villegas, J.J. Spaun and former US Open winner Lucas Glover.

Elsewhere, it was a round to forget for Viktor Hovland, who slumped to the bottom of the board with a shocking 8-over par 80.

Other players to struggle in the first round included Max Homa and WM Phoenix Open champion Thomas Detry on 7-over par.

Former major champions Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick also endured a Thursday to forget with rounds of 6-over par.

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