Castro shoots 63, leads McIlroy at Players
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Roberto Castro set the early pace Thursday at the Players Championship with a course record-tying 9-under 63.
Castro, making his Players debut, equaled the mark set by Fred Couples (1992) and Greg Norman (1994), and opened a 3-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson.
The world No. 2 McIlroy has failed to make the cut in three previous appearances at this event.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Also in the clubhouse were Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan and Casey Wittenberg, who all shot 67s at TPC Sawgrass.
World No. 1 Tiger Woods, 2007 winner Phil Mickelson and defending champion Matt Kuchar are just underway.