PONTE VEDRA BEACH (Florida): The PGA Tour gave its premier tournament even more sizzle by putting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler in the same group on Thursday afternoon. For the undercard, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas played together in the morning.

None was anywhere near the lead at The Players Championship.

McIlroy was the only player from those two groups who managed to break par. He shot 1-under 71 on a day when Woods could manage only a 72.

The best golf and there was plenty of it on an ideal opening round for scoring was all around them.

Dustin Johnson, his world number one ranking under siege, took advantage of perfect morning playing conditions to earn a six-way share of the lead.

Johnson wielded a new putter with precision, notching six birdies for a six-under par 66, his lowest ever score at TPC Sawgrass.

Johnson’s score was matched by fellow Americans Webb Simpson, Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Cantlay and in-form Swede Alex Noren — the most players tied at the top at The Players in 40 years.

Johnson, who has been world number one for 64 weeks, is under siege by those ranked from second through fifth, and he answered the challenge with a bogey-free round.

“I definitely want to keep the number one title, but I still have three more days of golf, and I’m going to have to play really well if I want to keep the number one spot,” the 33-year-old said.

The leaders were one stroke ahead of a group of a further six players including South Korean defending champion Kim Si-woo.

Former Players and Masters champion Sergio Garcia was in a group of 14 players on 68 that also included third-ranked fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm and world number five Justin Rose of England.

Not all the big names thrived in the benign conditions. Three-time major champion Spieth hit three balls into the water on his outward half — the back nine.

He posted a three-over 75 that leaves him in danger of missing his fourth consecutive cut in the event.

Mickelson can probably start revving up his private jet for an early trip home after scoring 79, having dropped seven shots in a four-hole stretch from the 14th.

Johnson, however, stayed out of trouble, a hot putter more than making amends for what he said was pedestrian iron play.

He has never finished better than 12th here due to poor putting but a new method of reading the greens has helped.

“It’s definitely helped. It gives me a more definitive spot to aim at,” he said of the new method, which involves using the soles of one’s feet to discern the break.

“I’ve struggled on the greens here. I feel like they’re tough to read but today I felt like I did a very good job. I haven’t the best record here but it’s a golf course that I like and I feel I should play well here.”

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2018