Rory McIlroy at Players Championship 2015: Thursday Leaderboard Score, Reaction

Rory McIlroy got off to a solid start at the The Players Championship at TCP Sawgrass Thursday, opening play with a three-under 69.   

McIlroy, who was paired with Jordan Spieth and Jason Day in the premier group of the day, finished tied with Day after the first round. Spieth really struggled, however, shooting a three-over 75. 

"I played well today, pretty solid," McIlroy noted after his round on the Golf Channel broadcast. "I felt like I drove the ball well today, which is a key on this golf course."

He finished the day with an 85.71 percent driving-accuracy percentage and hit 61 percent of greens in regulation, per PGATour.com.

Here's a look at the top of the leaderboard.

The world No. 1, who started on the back nine, got off to an excellent start, parring his first five holes and scoring a birdie on No. 15 and an eagle on No. 16. Here's his excellent effort on the 16th:

He finished the back nine with two more pars to open his round three under.

Of course, McIlroy playing well on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass is nothing new, as ESPN Stats & Information noted:

McIlroy's struggles on the course, generally, have come on the front nine, and it appeared that might be the case again Thursday after he bogeyed No. 1. But the world's No. 1 player recovered, promptly reeling off six straight pars and a birdie on No. 8 before missing a birdie putt on No. 9 and settling for one last par to close out his round.

Few efforts were better than his save of par on No. 4, however. 

Up the elevator shaft, indeed. Of course, McIlroy regularly showed off his strength and athleticism on the day, as Jason Sobel of ESPN.com noted:

McIlroy has to be pleased with his round. He's had his struggles at this course in the past but played a smart, measured and sometimes inspired first round with some shots that few other players in the world could make.  

Even the leader early in the day, Hideki Matsuyama, tipped his cap in McIlroy's direction, per Sobel: 

Indeed, McIlroy is likely just where he would like to be after Thursday's play. He limited his mistakes and has another round at TPC Friday as he ultimately heads into the weekend. If he can replicate his play on the back nine in the course's first nine holes, he may top his triumph at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play championship with a title at the Players Championship.