Fighting fit Rory McIlroy solid at Sawgrass

Rory McIlroy kicked off his Players Championship victory quest with only his second sub-70 TPC Sawgrass start and then downplayed any threat of burnout in competing for five straight weeks up to and including the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The World No 1 muscled his way to a clubhouse share of fifth place with a three under par 69 that was highlighted in driving the green at the par five, 16th hole and then holing a seven-foot eagle putt.

It left McIlroy lying just two strokes adrift of Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama with three Americans, including FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel, tied in second spot on four under par.