One of the favorites to win the 2026 Players Championship withdrew from the first round because of a back injury, but it was Collin Morikawa, not Rory McIlroy, who wasn’t able to make it to Round 2.
The two-time major champion pulling out after just one hole was the biggest shock of Round 1 at TPC Sawgrass. The 17th gobbled up more than a dozen balls — with all three members of Gary Woodland’s group hitting into the water off the “island green” — while Scottie Scheffler did what’s become his norm this season, struggling in the first round for an even-par day (don’t expect that one to last).
Maverick McNealy birdied three of the four par-5s and enters the second round at 5 under, tied with Lee Hodges and Sepp Straka. Sahith Theegala is up atop the leaderboard too, while Justin Thomas rebounded from last week’s shaky return from back surgery to go 4 under alongside Russell Henley. Taylor Moore, Jacob Bridgeman, Jason Day and J.J. Spaun also put up strong opening days with Ludvig Åberg, Tony Finau and Viktor Hovland looking to climb the ladder on Day 2.
Watch The Players Championship live on Fubo (free trial)
Here’s everything you need to know about The Players, including TV schedule and streaming information for the second round:
What channel is The Players Championship on today?
Round 2 of The Players Championship 2026 will broadcast nationally on Golf Channel. TV coverage will air from 1-7 p.m. and can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Where to watch Players Championship on streaming
Featured group and hole streaming is available on PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ (available on the ESPN app with a Select plan). The main broadcast can be streamed via Fubo, which carries Golf Channel and includes a free trial for new subscribers, and Peacock for Rounds 3 and 4.
Players Championship tee times
The following originally scheduled tee times are subject to change if Round 1 must finish Friday morning. All times Eastern.
Players Championship odds
Here are the golfers with the best odds to win the tournament, according to BetMGM.
Where is The Players Championship played?
The Players Championship is held at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, about 25 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The Stadium Course was built in 1980, designed by PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman and Pete Dye. The par-72 course totaling 6,847 yards features one of the most famous holes in golf: the “Island Green,” the par-3 17th that sees precision and water shots in equal measure.
Who won the 2025 Players Championship?
Rory McIlroy beat J.J. Spaun in a playoff held Monday after both finished 12 under par in the final round of the 2025 Players Championship. McIlroy birdied the first playoff hole and all but wrapped up the title when Spaun hit into the water on the 17th. It was McIlroy’s second Players Championship victory, and he would go on to win his first Masters title the following month.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What channel is Players Championship on? Round 2 TV schedule, tee times
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
