The reigning champion of The Players Championship has officially made it to the PGA Tour’s flagship event, during the afternoon of March 11.
McIlroy was spotted on Golf Channel footage arriving at The Players Stadium Course, fewer than 24 hours before his scheduled first competitive round. He was emerging from a car in the parking lot and going into the clubhouse.
1 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
While THE PLAYERS Championship showcases the best golf on one of the sport’s most iconic stages, seasoned fans know the PGA TOUR Fan Shop is a main attraction in its own right.
1 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
While THE PLAYERS Championship showcases the best golf on one of the sport’s most iconic stages, seasoned fans know the PGA TOUR Fan Shop is a main attraction in its own right.
2 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
The PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village, has a large assortment of hats, shirts and other items branded with the iconic 17th hole of the Stadium Course.
3 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
New to the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village, are shirts in the stye of other sports, such as this baseball jersey.
4 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
TPC Sawgrass Director of Merchandising Lea Osol displays the caddie coveralls outfit for small children available at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
5 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Hip brands such as Flomotion have Island Green themed shirts at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village
6 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Players Championship hats are available in even more vibrant colors this year at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
7 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Golfers can get their playing partners talking about their Players Championship and Island Green head covers available at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
8 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Lindsay Hart of Nocatee and her daughter Kaia shop for sunglasses at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
9 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Players Championship logos past and present are on this Smith and Quinn shirt for sale at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
10 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
TPC Sawgrass Director of Merchandising Lea Osol shows off some of the Players Championship themed baby clothes on sale this year at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
11 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Women’s apparel lines such as Lily Pulitzer are popular at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
12 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
The PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village, carries items from First Coast retailers such as the Sunrise Surf Shop.
13 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Bad Birdie’s eye-catching long-sleeved shirt is one of the items on sale at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
14 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Ariana (left) and Mia of the Roar of the Jaguars go sunglass shopping at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
15 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Rugby shirts with the original brand of The Players Championship from 1974 is a popular item at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
16 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
One Players Championship shirt at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village, has sharks teeth formed into a map of Florida.
17 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Knockaround sunglasses are a hot-selling item at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
18 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Avid golfers can’t have enough golf towels, such as this themed with the 17th hole of the Players Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass, at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
19 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Among the favored items for children at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village, are stuffed animals with Players Championship hoodies.
20 / 20
PGA Tour Fan Shop is a popular stop for Players Championship fans
Hoodies in Tiger Woods’ clothing line, Sun Day Red, are being sold at the PGA Tour Fan Shop, located within the Players Championship Stadium Village.
McIlroy, winner of The Players in 2019 and 2025, and No. 2 behind only Scottie Scheffler in the Official World Golf Ranking, had not appeared at the tournament yet this week following his March 7 third-round withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Advertisement
He is scheduled to tee off at 1:42 p.m. March 12 alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Rory McIlroy arrives at The Players Championship after back injury
