Just like countless golf fans around the country, Paige Spiranac is fired up to watch The Players Championship this week.
Roughly a year ago, Rory McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole playoff to win The Players in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. We’re certainly hoping we get an equally entertaining finish at this year’s tournament.
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Although this year’s tournament just started, Max Greyserman, Cam Davis, Akshay Bhatia and Tony Finau are already off to hot starts.
Paige Spiranac watches her teammates putt on the No. 6 green during the 2023 Kaulig Companies Championship Pro-Am at Firestone Country Club, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
(© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Before the first round of The Players teed off, Spiranac posted a selfie of her at TPC Sawgrass on social media.
“The Players might be one of my favorite golf tournaments of the year,” Spiranac wrote.
Spiranac was sporting a white shirt and an officially-licensed The Players Championship hat in this selfie. Unsurprisingly, she received plenty of compliments from her fans.
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We’ve got drama at The Players.
Just hours before the start of The Players Championship on Thursday, Ryan Fox of New Zealand withdrew due to an illness.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, withdrew from The Players shortly after teeing off. He parred his first hole before being seen stretching his back. According to BetMGM, he was the most bet golfer to win this weekend’s tournament.
As if that wasn’t enough drama, we’re not even sure if McIlroy will defend his title. He’s currently nursing a back injury.
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“I’ve got about, I don’t know, is it 20 hours until I tee off. So, yeah, we’ll see. I’m taking it sort of hour by hour,” McIlroy said on Wednesday. “Hopefully a good night tonight. The drugs are working wonders, and then just keep it going from there.”
Fans can watch the first round of The Players Championship on Golf Channel.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.