It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for players in the first round of the 2025 Players Championship. With TPC Sawgrass showing more teeth than expected, some competitors are forced to play catch-up to secure a weekend tee time while others will aim to position themselves for a charge over the second 36 holes.

The 51st edition of The Players Championship continues Friday, March 14, on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The grouping of world Nos. 1, 2 and 3 — Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele,

As first alternate at the 51st Players Championship, the 29-year-old PGA Tour rookie who has lived in Jacksonville area for five-and-a-half years assumed getting into the event on Thursday would be a long shot;