The Masters champion was on course to return to world number one.

Canadian Adam Svensson will start the third round with a two-shot lead over reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

The Irishman dropped two more shots in his opening 10 holes of the second round.

The world number one had posted a one-under-par 71 in the first round at TPC Sawgrass.

Chad Ramey’s 64 was just one short of equalling the course record.

McIlroy’s hopes of returning to world number one took a hit in the first round.

The top three-ranked players in the world will be grouped together at this week’s Players Championship.

Morikawa has missed the cut twice in his last three events.

The Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway venture was able to lure a host of top names away from the regular circuit with multi-million dollar deals.