McGirt, Hughes shoot 67s to tie for first-round lead at the Players

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William McGirt and Mackenzie Hughes (pictured) don’t have too much in common, but they find themselves tied for the lead at the Players Championship after firing five-under 67s in the opening round at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium course.

McGirt, 37, is a thicker veteran, one that hits a lot of fairways, ranking third on the US PGA Tour in driving accuracy. Hughes, 26, is slender, and younger, playing in his rookie season on tour, and ranks 115th in that same driving accuracy category. McGirt’s round was an eventful one, featuring three birdies, two eagles and two bogeys, while Hughes went bogey-free.

Something they do have in common though, is that both are in search of the second victory of their careers.

FIRST-ROUND PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD

Meanwhile, and not surprisingly, Jon Rahm finds himself near the top of the leaderboard. The young Spaniard shot a bogey-free 68, with birdies on two of his last three holes. Like Hughes, Rahm is also gunning for the second win of the season.

Tied with Rahm at four-under are Chez Reavie, Alex Noren and J.B. Holmes. Noren and Holmes showed flashes of brilliance last week at the Wells Fargo Championship, but ultimately faded by Sunday’s final round. Reavie, who has made two straight cuts after missing his previous three, appears to be finding some form.

Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, and Adam Scott all sit just three shots back at two-under – although Scott led the field outright at six-under before rinsing shots at both the 17th and 18th for a closing pair of double-bogeys. World No.1 Dustin Johnson is just behind them after a one-under 71.

RELATED: Adam Scott makes a remarkable birdie on day one at the Players

Masters champion Sergio Garcia carded a one-over 73, but he joined an exclusive club. He made a hole-in-one on the famous par-3 17th, becoming just the eighth player to do so. Watch his shot here: