Nightmare start for Rory McIlroy as he sits 12 off the lead at Players Championship

The quadruple-bogey eight left McIlroy seven over par and 10 shots off the early lead

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 10th hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship. Picture: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy suffered a nightmare start to the defence of his title in the Players Championship on Thursday.

Starting on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy hooked his drive on the 10th into the undergrowth and had to take a penalty drop on his way to a double-bogey six.