Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 15 March 2019
Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley tied for lead at Players

Harman were at 66, while
Rory McIlroy also played
bogey-free for a 67. He was
in a group with Moore, who
used a 54-degree wedge
for his ace on the 17th.
"The group right before me,
we were walking up 16 ... I
think it was Grillo hit the pin
about 2 inches above the
cup and almost went back
in the water," Moore said. "I
heard mine clink and I was
just waiting to go see where
the ball went. And then no
ball showed up."
Also at 67 was Vaughn
Taylor, who must love the
move back to March. Tay-
lor is among 23 players who
have competed on the
Stadium Players Course in
both months. He tied for
eighth the last time it was in
March in 2006. In the eight
times he played in May, he
never made the cut.
Bradley, who a week ago
shared the 36-hole lead
with Fleetwood at Bay Hill,
has only one top 10 in his
eight trips to the TPC Saw-
grass.
"Early in my career, I felt
so uncomfortable on this
course. I really didn't play
well here," Bradley said. "It
didn't really enjoy ... it just
wasn't a good fit for me.
Tommy Fleetwood watches his shot on the ninth hole during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, And then this year, I really
March 14, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. enjoy the different condi-
Associated Press tions that we're playing in.
I like the rough better, and
By DOUG FERGUSON When the day ended, spectator's ankle on the first few adjustments, and then I think it's a great time of
AP Golf Writer Keegan Bradley and Tom- hole, clipped a tree off the went about my business. year to play here."
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. my Fleetwood went dif- tee on the second hole, And then the back nine, McIlroy was among those
(AP) — March or May, ferent routes to reach the managed to get through there's nine holes on the who approved of the cal-
there is no shortage of ex- same score and share the the front nine, and then back nine, made one par. endar change. This was
citement at The Players lead at 7-under 65. thought he might be able So that was interesting." only the third time in 10
Championship. Bradley got off to a fast to take advantage late in The move from May after starts at The Players he
Tiger Woods made only start and had three putts the afternoon as the wind 11 years to its traditional broke 70 in the first round.
one par on the back nine for eagle, making one of began to die. March spot on the calen- "I think the course over the
Thursday, revving up the them. Fleetwood had a He did, and then he didn't. dar brought green, softer last 10 years ... it hasn't lent
crowd with five birdies, big finish with three straight A birdie was followed by conditions and more wind itself to aggressive play,"
only to slow his charge with birdie putts of 15 feet or lon- a ball in the water on the than usual, though it was McIlroy said. "It's sort of po-
three mistakes. ger. par-5 11th for a bogey. Two out of the typical May di- sition and irons of the tee
Emiliano Grillo hit the pin on "If you like golf, you should birdies were followed by a rection. With the rye over- and really trying to plot
the island-green 17th and like this golf course, really," shot in the rough-covered seed making the moderate your way around the golf
the ball nearly bounced Fleetwood said. "It's just mounds. Two more birdies rough more predictable, course. I hit drivers on holes
into the water. One group about as fair as you're go- were followed by a missed players took aim. today that I would never
later, Ryan Moore heard ing to get a test. If you hit it par putt from 4 feet. It add- Fleetwood had only one have hit driver the last few
the "clink" of ball hitting pin well like I did today, you're ed to a 70, the 17th time in birdie on the slightly easier years. "I don't know if the
on the fly and heard only going to have chances 18 starts at The Players he back nine, and finished course is easier or not," he
cheers for the ninth hole- and you can shoot a score, failed to break 70. The ex- with birdie putts from 15 said. "We'll see what the
in-one on the 17th at TPC and people are shooting ception was 2013, when he feet, 30 feet and 18 feet. stroke average is at the end
Sawgrass. scores. But you can also get last won. "I felt like I could "You get on a run like 7, 8, of the day. But because I
Harris English had an alba- it the other way, as soon have got something in the 9, and it feels great after think it's playing longer, it'll
tross 2. Kiradech Aphibarn- as you start struggling and 60s today and got off to that," Fleetwood said. "Just play longer for most of the
rat had an 84. start going the other way, it not actually the best of one of them would feel like guys, and I think it should all
There were 23 eagles. Fifty can easily go against you. starts today," Woods said. a great round, so three of even out. But I definitely like
players had a double bo- It's an amazing course for "I hit some bad shots ear- them ... I'll take it." the golf course the way it is
gey or worse. that." Woods hit a shot off a ly, rectified that, made a Byeong Hun An and Brian in March."q