Rory McIlroy delivered an impressive performance at The Players Championship, carding a five-under-par 67 to sit just one shot off the lead after the first round. The world number two showcased his skill with seven birdies, including a stunning finish on the 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

McIlroy's drive on the final hole landed in the pine straw to the right of the fairway, but his second shot left him just eight feet from the cup, which he confidently converted for birdie. "It was a bonus to get it up on the green and hole the putt was a lovely way to finish," McIlroy remarked. Despite not driving as well as he would have liked, McIlroy acknowledged the receptive greens allowed him to capitalize on his opportunities.

Joining McIlroy near the top of the leaderboard are Lucas Glover, JJ Spaun, and Camilo Villegas, all of whom shot a six-under-par 66 to share the lead. Glover, a former US Open champion, birdied his last four holes, including the iconic par-three 17th 'island' hole.

The tournament also saw a notable incident involving McIlroy and a heckler during a practice round. Luke Potter, a top young US golfer, apologized for his actions after a video of the confrontation went viral. Potter, who had heckled McIlroy over a shot that found the water, expressed regret for his behavior. "I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologize for it," Potter told the Golf Channel.

As the tournament progresses, McIlroy will look to build on his strong start, while the field, which includes 48 of the world's top 50-ranked players, continues to battle for the prestigious title. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is also in the mix, aiming for a record third consecutive victory at The Players Championship.

Stay tuned for live coverage of the third and fourth rounds on BBC Sport, with radio and text commentaries available from 19:30 GMT on Saturday, 15 March, and from 18:00 on Sunday, 16 March.