Scottie Scheffler is enjoying the almost-weekly battle with Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy to be world No.1, even if he still trails the pair in terms of career victories.

The 26-year-old, currently second in the rankings, made his major breakthrough at last year's Masters, one of four wins in a two-month hot streak, and added a fifth title with victory at February's WM Phoenix Open.

However, Rahm's three successes already this season have restored him as world No.1, with McIlroy - currently ranked No.3 - maintaining the pressure on them.

The trio will play together in a marquee group for the first two rounds of the Players Championship, the PGA Tour's flagship event.

"It's fun having three guys kind of jostling for the world No.1 and I'm very pleased to be one of them," Scheffler said.

"Rory and Jon are both such talented players that any time I can be spoken in the same breath as those guys it's special for me, especially growing up watching a guy like Rory play golf for a long time.

"Both Jon and Rory have won many many golf tournaments out here. If you added up all our wins together mine would be a pretty small percentage of that win total.

"So hopefully we'll continue to play good and be able to compete for a long time out here."

Asked about all three being grouped together, Scheffler added: "The way I'm approaching it is it's going to be a lot of fun.

"I'm just looking forward to going out there and watching them play and having a good time out there and competing together.

"You look forward to being there at the end with another guy that's at the top of his game and you look forward to beating the best players in the world."

Reigning champion Cameron Smith is not able to defend his title after joining the LIV Golf tour, leaving fellow former winners Jason Day and Adam Scott to head up the Australian challenge at Ponte Vedra Beach.