JJ Spaun takes a one-shot lead into the final round of The Players, as Rory McIlroy’s late birdie kept him in contention after a day where conditions caused chaos at TPC Sawgrass.
Spaun holed a dramatic 25-foot putt to save par on the final hole of his third-round 70, putting him at 12 under ahead of compatriot Bud Cauley, with Lucas Glover three back in tied-third alongside Alex Smalley and overnight co-leader Akshay Bhatia.
McIlroy was playing alongside Spaun and briefly within one of the lead until three bogeys in a six-hole stretch on the back nine, where strong winds left players struggling, before a closing birdie salvaged a one-over 73 and put him within four of the lead.
The best of the action from Rory McIlroy’s third-round 73 at The Players, where he clung onto contention for a second career win at TPC Sawgrass
The world No 2 – chasing a second Players Championship victory – is tied-fifth with Bhatia and Corey Conners on eight, while Scottie Scheffler heads into the final day seven behind as he chases a historic three-peat at the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
The threat of thunderstorms has seen tee times brought forward for Sunday’s final round, with players going out in threeballs and under a two-tee start from 8am local time (midday GMT).
More to follow…
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