Watch the best bits from a brilliant first round at The Players Championship

Day's birdie on 17 was one of nine, with no dropped shots

I played golf yesterday with someone who said The Players Championship is their favourite tournament, even above all four major championships. 

“But obviously not ahead of the Masters?” I said.

“Yep, nothing beats The Players at Sawgrass,” he replied. 

I internally labelled him a lunatic and slowly edged away. TPC Sawgrass is a sensational course and The Players is a fantastic event, but better than the Masters and The Open – surely not?

Well, The Players did its bit to make its case in yesterday’s opening round. Here are the highlights from a fantastic first round…

This brilliant bunker shot helped Jason Day to a course record tying 63

Defending champ Rickie Fowler battled for a level-par 72, but did hit this peach of an 8-iron from 186 yards

Dustin Johnson is 2-under, helped by this cracking bunker shot

Hideki Matsuyama is 4-under after this wonderful hole-out

228 yards -> 2 feet for David Lingmerth en route to a 71

Keegan Bradley won nearest the pin on 17