Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler can all get past Jon Rahm in the world No. 1 spot this week; Watch the PGA Tour’s flagship event live all week on Sky Sports’ dedicated Players Channel
By Ali Stafford
Last update: 22/03/07 23:06
Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas have been grouped at The Players
Rory McIlroy was grouped alongside defending champion Justin Thomas and two-time major winner Collin Morikawa for the first two rounds of The Players.
The Northern Irishman, who won the event in 2019 before missing the cut in last year’s contest, will be part of the afternoon wave on the opening day of TPC Sawgrass as it will leave at 12:56 p.m. local time (17:56 GMT).
McIlroy will be joined in the flagship group by Morikawa, who has recorded three world victories in 2021, and Thomas – who is looking to become the first player to win back-to-back editions of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

A look back at some of the most memorable putts made at TPC Sawgrass’ iconic par three 17th
Scottie Scheffler, who recorded a second in three PGA Tour starts on Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the world No. 5 also out late Thursday as he plays alongside Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele and the four-time major champion Brooks Koepka.
World No. 1 Jon Rahm came out early alongside two of the four players who could overtake him at the top of the world rankings this week, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Cantlay, while Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama in a threeball with teammates from the Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann Presidents Cup.
12:51 p.m.: Viktor Hovland (Nor), Patrick Cantlay (USA), Jon Rahm (Spain)
5:34 p.m .: Jordan Spieth (USA), Daniel Berger (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA)
5:45 p.m. Scottie Scheffler (USA), Brooks Koepka (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA)
5:56 p.m. Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Collin Morikawa (USA), Justin Thomas (USA)
Former Sawgrass champions Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott are grouped with 2017 Si Woo Kim runner-up Louis Oosthuizen, while former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth exit alongside Ryder Cup teammate Daniel Berger.

A look back at some of Sergio Garcia’s most dramatic moments at TPC Sawgrass, including a hole-in-one and quadruple bogey at the par three 17th
Play starts at 6:45 a.m. on the first two days (11:45 a.m. GMT), with England pair Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick forming part of the first group on Friday morning. Chris Kirk completes this group.
When is The Players on Sky Sports?
The Players Championship channel, Sky Sports The Players, will have more than 60 hours of live coverage from Florida during the week of the tournament from March 7-13, including before the opening tee-off for the four tournament rounds.

One of the biggest events on the PGA Tour schedule takes place this month, with round-the-clock coverage of TPC Sawgrass players live on Sky Sports’ dedicated Players Championship channel.
Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. on the first two days and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, before returning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, with extended live analysis after the end of each round.
Key TV times
tuesday march 8
Live from The Players – 1400-2200 on Sky Sports
The Live Players Championship
March 8, 2022, 2 p.m.
Live of
Wednesday March 9
Live from The Players – 1400-2200 on Sky Sports
Tiger Woods at the Hall of Fame ceremony – 2300-0130 on Sky Sports
Thursday March 10
The players: first day live! – 1130-2330 on Sky Sports The players –
The Live Players Championship
March 10, 2022, 11:30 a.m.
Live of
Friday March 11
The Players: Day Two LIVE! – 1130-2330 on Sky Sports The players –
Saturday March 12
The Players: Day 3 LIVE! – 1230-2330 on Sky Sports Players
Sunday March 13
The Players: Day Four LIVE! – 1130-2230 on Sky Sports Players
Who will win The Players? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports’ dedicated channel – Sky Sports The Players! Live coverage begins on Tuesday with the “Players Live” broadcast Tuesday at 2 p.m.