Forty-three of world’s top 50 are set to feature at The Players, where Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy all fight for the world No 1 spot; Defending champion Cameron Smith ineligible after joining LIV Golf; Watch opening round live on Thursday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Golf
The Players is without its defending champion this week, with Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm both admitting that Cameron Smith’s absence is noticeable at TPC Sawgrass.
Smith is just the fourth Players champion to miss his title defence and the first for non-injury reasons, with the Australian ineligible after joining the Saudi-backed LIV circuit after the conclusion of last season’s FedExCup playoffs.
The defending champion lost his playing and practising privileges at TPC Sawgrass when he joined LIV Golf but his native flag still flies outside the clubhouse this week to acknowledge him as defending champion, while the world’s top players were all asked about Smith not featuring ahead of the PGA Tour’s flagship event. READ MORE
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