Rory McIlroy misses chance to set Sawgrass course record

However he did equal Shane Lowry's back-nine record, which the Offaly golfer set yesterday.

Former world number one Rory McIlroy surged into contention for his first win of the year in the Players Championship, despite squandering a wonderful chance to create tournament history.

McIlroy carded seven birdies and an eagle in his first 16 holes at Sawgrass and came to the par-five ninth, his final hole, needing a birdie to set a new course record of 62.