Players notebook: McIlroy, Scheffler struggle but make cut; Sunday tickets sold out

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Reigning Players champion Rory McIlroy’s tight back that had him feeling “rusty” in Thursday’s opening round felt a bit better on Friday.

McIlroy, a two-time winner of The Players, battled for a 1-under 71. At 1 over, McIlroy made the cut by a stroke and heads into the weekend well back of the leaders.

“I wish I was further up the leaderboard. I felt like I played well enough today to be up the leaderboard, I just couldn’t get a putt to drop,” McIlroy said. “I feel like I hit the ball a bit better today than I did yesterday also, so hopefully I’ve done enough to get into the weekend and have another two days at it.”

McIlroy withdrew from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational with back pain and didn’t arrive at TPC Sawgrass until Wednesday afternoon. He said after his 74 that he felt “rusty” on the course.

McIlroy hasn’t putted particularly well in the first two rounds. He’s at negative strokes gained in putting, something atypical for the five-time major champion.

Scheffler struggles

Scottie Scheffler was a heavy betting favorite coming into the tournament but never got things going. He followed up his even-par 72 with a laborious 1-over 73. Scheffler had another tough day off the tee (just 7 of 14 fairways hit) and was cold with the putter.

Former Players winners all make the cut

In addition to Scheffler and McIlroy, five other former Players champions are in the field this week.

They all made it to the weekend, too.

Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Si Woo Kim, McIlroy, Scheffler, Adam Scott and Justin Thomas all made the cut.

At 8-under, Thomas is tied for fourth and four strokes back of leader Ludvig Aberg (12 under after a 69 on Friday).

In addition to the former Players champs all making the cut, most of the big-name golfers will stick around for the weekend, too.

Final round a sellout at Sawgrass

The Players Championship has sold out tickets for Sunday’s final round, making it three consecutive sellout days.

The tournament had never sold out both weekend rounds before this year.

Players executive director Lee Smith said the tournament was blessed with great weather Friday and a competitive leaderboard.

“Demand for this championship is really high. I think we credit that certainly to the venue and really the drama that TPC Sawgrass creates,” Smith said.

“And then obviously the athletes that are out there performing and the superstars that we’ve seen on the leaderboards in years past as well as what were seeing already with Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg and going into the weekend. Overall the demand is really high were excited to ride the momentum forward.”