View 2 more
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, hits from the seventh fairway during the first round of the Players Championship golf tournament on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Chris O'Meara, Associated Press
View 2 more
Martin Laird, of Scotland, hits from the eighth fairway during the first round of the Players Championship golf tournament, Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. John Raoux, Associated Press
View 2 more
Phil Mickelson watches his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the Players Championship golf tournament, Thursday, May 10, 2012, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Chris O'Meara, Associated Press
By Associated Press

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Ian Poulter ran off four birdies around the turn. Martin Laird was the only player without a bogey on his card. That was enough for them to share the lead Thursday in The Players Championship.

Poulter birdied all of the par 5s on his way to a 7-under 65. Laird played in the afternoon and relied on his putting for some critical par saves to match Poulter.

They were a shot ahead of Blake Adams.

View Comments

Tiger Woods opened with a 74 and is in danger of missing the cut for the second straight week. Phil Mickelson, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday, had a 71. Rory McIlroy hit in the water on the island-green 17th for double bogey and shot 72.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.