The Players Championship has lost one of its leading favourites after Jon Rahm withdrew from contention on Friday due to illness.
World No. 1 Rahm, 28, opened his tournament with a one-under-par 71 on Thursday but did not return for Friday's leg. A stomach virus was cited as the Spaniard's reason for withdrawing, which was confirmed less than an hour before he was scheduled to tee off.
Playing partners Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy —the respective No. 2 and No. 3 in the world rankings—were left to head out on Friday as a two-man pairing. Both stars will have a chance to reclaim the top spot depending on their results at TPC Sawgrass, having each opened at four-under and four-over, respectively.
