Florida, March 14 -- Rory McIlroy hit seven birdies in an impressive five-under-par 67 to sit one off the lead after the first round of The Players Championship here.
Former US Open champion Lucas Glover is one of three players who shot a 66 to lead on six under.
American Glover, 45, birdied each of his last four holes - including the famous par-three 17th 'island' hole - and was joined at the top of the leaderboard by compatriot JJ Spaun and Colombia's Camilo Villegas, the BBC reported.
McIlroy, the world number two, also took advantage of sun-drenched conditions on the opening day of the PGA Tour's flagship tournament at TPC Sawgrass and closed with an excellent birdie on the 18th.
His drive ended up on pine straw among trees to the r...