Rory McIlroy is near the top of the PLAYERS Championship, but he had to earn his 5-under 67 the hard way as his struggles off the tee continue.

If you watched how Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th hole on Thursday at The Players, you will likely remember his closing three for quite some time. After missing the short grass again off the tee, McIlroy’s ball settled down in the pine straw to the right of the fairway.