Hideki Matsuyama carded a 5-under 67 in Thursday's opening round to grab a share of the lead at The Players Championship.

Matsuyama, the reigning Memorial champion, was joined atop the leaderboard by David Hearn, Charley Hoffman and Kevin Na.

Last season's FedExCup champ Billy Hurley is among six players who are one stroke off the lead on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Hurley stands at minus-4 alongside Troy Merritt, Ben Martin, Brendon Todd, Charles Howell III and Derek Fathauer.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and defending champion Martin Kaymer are among 14 players tied for 11th at 3-under 69. Also in that group are Jason Day, Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Steve Stricker, Brandt Snedeker and Sergio Garcia.

McIlroy had two birdies, an eagle and a bogey in his round. Kaymer mixed five birdies and two bogeys in his 69.

Two-time winner Tiger Woods and 2007 champion Phil Mickelson both found water off the 18th tee. Both players closed with double-bogeys for rounds of 1-over 73, which left them tied for 77th.