Say this for Rory McIlroy: The man knows how to play through distractions. After two years of serving as the point man for the PGA Tour's fight against LIV Golf — and playing some of the best golf of his career during that time — he found himself in a little rules controversy of his own Thursday at The Players Championship. Even so, he managed to hold a share of the lead at the end of the tournament's first day.
McIlroy, playing with Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth, teed off on the 10th hole, and played nearly flawless golf for eight holes.