Players Championship 2018 Leaderboard: Live Scores and Standings from Thursday

The 2018 Players Championship kicked off on Thursday, with some of the top players in the world of golf descending on Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida for what is often described as the "fifth major."

The Players is one of the most prestigious and lucrative tournaments in the world, drawing the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods.

All will be in action on Thursday in Round 1. For a live look at the leaderboard and complete scores, visit the tournament's website by clicking here.

In a stacked field, the usual suspects rank among this year's favourites for the title. Australia's Day, the 2016 champion, arguably carries the most momentum after winning the Wells Fargo Championship earlier this month.

The 30-year-old beat Nick Watney and Aaron Wise by two strokes and was ecstatic with the win, given his struggles on the course:

Like McIlroy, Day's biggest successes this season have come courtesy of his short game. He was wayward at best from the tee in the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship, but his putting bailed him out at key times.

McIlroy used the exact same formula to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this season and was on course to play a major role in the final round of the Masters, only to throw it all away.

He'll be part of a special group for the opening round this tournament:

Thomas, McIlroy and Jordan Spieth should push each other hard on Thursday, and it will be the one most neutral fans will keep an eye on.

Plenty of those will also try and follow Woods around, as the 42-year-old remains one of the most popular players on the planet. He's enjoyed some great times at the Players:

The two-time champion will partner with Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler on Thursday.