Justin Thomas Ties Sawgrass Record Amidst Fierce Competition at The Players Championship

Justin Thomas made history at The Players Championship by equalling the TPC Sawgrass course record with an exceptional 10-under-par 62. This remarkable performance came after a challenging opening round of 78, thrusting Thomas from the brink of missing the cut into a strong contending position. Notably, Thomas became the first player to achieve 11 birdies in a single round at this prestigious PGA Tour event, matching the record set by Tom Hoge in 2023.

Thomas' 16-stroke improvement from his first to the second round is the largest in the tournament's history, catapulting him 104 places up the leaderboard. Despite a bogey on the 18th after his ball found the water, Thomas remains just seven shots behind the joint leaders, Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia, both of whom are 11 under par.

"Crazy is an understatement. It is wild. I am just really proud of myself," Thomas shared after his round. His performance not only underscores his resilience but also sets the stage for an exhilarating weekend. With live coverage on the BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the tournament promises continued drama.

Rory McIlroy is also in the mix, trailing the leaders by just two shots after a steady four-under 68. McIlroy, who secured his victory at TPC Sawgrass in 2019, is optimistic about handling the challenging weather forecasted for the weekend, which predicts wind gusts up to 30mph.

"I'm looking forward to it," McIlroy commented. "It's going to be crucial to control the ball flight and play creatively, especially in such conditions." His ability to adapt and innovate may well be pivotal as the competition intensifies.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with Collin Morikawa also making significant moves by equalling his lowest round at the Stadium Course. As players gear up for the challenging weekend, the 2025 Players Championship continues to deliver high drama and exceptional golf.