The PGA Tour has confirmed the marquee groups for the opening rounds of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Only two groups have been selected for the spotlight, featuring some of the biggest names in the game.
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Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will headline the pairings as the tournament gets underway.
Both stars arrive in Florida with recent storylines following a dramatic week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Rory McIlroy grouped with Xander Schauffele at The Players Championship
Defending champion Rory McIlroy will tee it up alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele in one of the two marquee groups.
All three players are major champions and among the biggest attractions on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy returns to TPC Sawgrass hoping to build on his victory at the event last year.
However, the Northern Irishman endured a difficult build-up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
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McIlroy did not play the weekend at Bay Hill after suffering a back spasm during his warm-up before the third round.
Matsuyama and Schauffele both bring strong pedigrees to the group, and the trio should provide plenty of fireworks during the opening two rounds.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler to play alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas
World number one Scottie Scheffler will headline the other marquee group at TPC Sawgrass.
Scheffler has been grouped with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas for the opening two rounds.
The American has enjoyed great success at The Players Championship in recent years (2023 and 2024) and will again be among the favourites this week.
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Thomas heads into the tournament after missing the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in his first start since returning from a back injury.
Fleetwood did manage to make the cut at Bay Hill but struggled to mount a serious challenge on the leaderboard.
Despite their recent setbacks, the group still features three of the most recognisable players in the game, ensuring they will be a closely followed group when the action begins.
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