PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Golfer Rory McIlroy turned a wake-up call Sunday at Bay Hill into his best-ever start at TPC Sawgrass to grab a share of the lead at The Players Championship.

But like pretty much everything in golf these days, McIlroy’s opening round at the PGA Tour’s showcase event in its 50th year featured controversy and debate.

McIlroy’s 7-under 65 featured a tournament record-tying 10 birdies but also two water balls and a pair of exchanges with playing partner and fellow Tour star Jordan Spieth. At issue was where McIlroy’s golf ball crossed the hazard line at the difficult 18th and 7th holes, where a heated discussion lasted several minutes.

Sitting tied with Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark atop the leaderboard, McIlroy seems unfazed by either incident and supremely confident in his decisions. Meanwhile, the loquacious Spieth avoided reporters and sprinted up the hill toward the clubhouse following a 2-over par 74.

“I’m comfortable,” McIlroy said. “That’s the most important thing.”

A comfortable, confident McIlroy has been a long time coming in 2024.

But something had to change following final-round 4-over par 76, featuring a front-nine 41, at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. Rather than recharge Monday, the world’s second-ranked player headed to the practice range at TPC Sawgrass and found his groove during the next three days.

“Honestly, just needed to put the time in,” he said. “I grinded on the range and figured something out.”

McIlroy’s iron play was sublime — he hit 15 of 18 greens — and his putting spot on, culminating with a birdie outside 15 feet on the par-5 9th, his final hole Thursday. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland finished No. 1 in strokes gained putting and No. 2 in strokes gained on approach shots.

“It’s probably been one of my best days in a while,” he said.

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