Players Championship 2026: ‘Stop it!’ drama as US star quits after ONE hole; Sepp Straka tied for lead
players championship 2026 opened with chaos and drama as Sepp Straka, Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges, Sahith Theegala and Austin Smotherman shared the early lead at TPC Sawgrass after a weather-hit first round, while Jason Day paced the Australian challenge. Play was interrupted by rain and a late suspension for darkness, leaving at least one group to finish on Friday morning. The round produced near aces, a withdrawal after one hole, and brutal finishes that reshaped the leaderboard.
Players Championship 2026 leaderboard and the late suspend
Sepp Straka carded a 5-under 67 and saved par repeatedly as he climbed into a share of the lead; Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges and Sahith Theegala also posted 67s, and Austin Smotherman sat at 5 under when darkness halted play with a short birdie putt to finish. Whether Smotherman moves alone atop the leaderboard depended on that short putt when play resumes. No player posted lower than 67 in the completed scores, and multiple groups were unable to finish because darkness fell after a day that swung between downpour, wind and sun.
Drama, withdrawals and late-night theatrics
Collin Morikawa withdrew after one hole when his back seized during a practice swing, and another notable name left his opening round early with severe back issues that had affected his prior week. Rory McIlroy returned a 74 and earlier withdrew from a previous event with back problems; Scottie Scheffler managed an even-par 72. Adam Scott nearly aced the island green at the par‑3 17th with a tee shot to about two feet but finished the day doubled at the 18th when his tee shot found the water, costing him a chance to start closer to the leaders. Shane Lowry ended his round with a quadruple-bogey eight at the last, and Ryan Fox withdrew to have kidney stones removed.
Immediate reactions from players and contenders
“Do I wish I hit the chip in the morning as well? Went back and forth, ” Austin Smotherman said about the decision to stop with a short putt remaining; Smotherman was at 5 under when play was suspended. Sepp Straka, identified in the field as an Austrian, reflected on scrambling and wedge play that kept him bogey-free, saying his iron and wedge shots and several key putts helped him save pars down the stretch. Sahith Theegala described the thrill of an abrupt momentum swing after his wedge from just under 100 yards rammed into the cup for an eagle on the 12th. Justin Thomas, the two-time PGA Championship winner, opened with three straight birdies and finished inside the top group of early scores.
Quick context
The opening round was punctuated by a 21-minute downpour that forced a stoppage and later a suspension for darkness; wind and changing conditions produced 38 balls in the water on the three closing holes and forced several groups to halt play. The mixed conditions left the leaderboard tightly clustered and set up an uncertain restart for the second day.
What’s next
Play will resume with unfinished groups returning to complete their opening rounds, and the full leaderboard — including whether Smotherman secures a solo lead — will be settled when those players finish. Jason Day, having recovered from a wayward tee shot at the island green, will begin his second round within reach of the leaders and remain a key figure in the Australian challenge as the event moves forward. players championship 2026 now shifts to a stretched weekend where weather, late finishes and resumed play will determine who can convert early momentum into contention.
