PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — J.J. Spaun experienced the unpredictability of The Players Championship firsthand on Saturday at TPC Sawgrass. Even as chaos unfolded around him, Spaun maintained composure to secure a narrow lead. Significant upheavals marked the round, as players like Will Zalatoris saw their fortunes change dramatically. Zalatoris, initially tied for the lead, faltered with a staggering stretch of 9-over par across his final five holes. Lucas Glover similarly experienced a rollercoaster day, shifting position on the leaderboard due to a sequence of double bogey, eagle, and another double bogey.
In contrast, Spaun displayed a steadier hand. His final putt danced around the hole before dropping in for par, concluding a round of 2-under 70, which was notably the best performance among the last 10 groups. This result placed Spaun just ahead of Bud Cauley by a mere stroke. Reflecting on his efforts, Spaun highlighted his strategy of minimizing risks: “I was hitting really good quality golf shots from tee to green and merely giving myself chances while avoiding stressful situations,” he remarked. He emphasized the importance of selecting the right club and respecting the prevailing winds, opting for safety over bold attempts when necessary.
Meanwhile, Bud Cauley demonstrated resilience as he tackled the course amidst challenging winds to finish strong, securing three birdies on his last four holes for a 66. His performance placed him alongside Spaun and Lucas Glover in the final grouping, as Glover wrapped up with a 71. Glover reflected on the day’s precise demands, noting, “It’s pretty razor thin around here anyway, and then you add in 25, 30 miles an hour with some gusts.”
Spaun led with a total of 12-under 204, while Glover and Alex Smalley trailed by three shots. The challenges of the day were evident across a leaderboard scattered with high scores, including Emiliano Grillo’s 85, marking a difficult end after starting the day just five shots back. Zalatoris was particularly notable after his abrupt shift from contending for the lead to finishing the day 10 shots behind following his five-hole disaster, culminating in a quadruple bogey and several subsequent slips.
Rory McIlroy managed to conclude with a birdie, recording a round of 73, which kept him within shouting distance, trailing by four shots. McIlroy acknowledged his round was marred largely by around-the-green mistakes, “Most of the dropped shots were from around-the-green mistakes rather than tee-to-green,” he observed, but he remained optimistic about the competition continuing in inclement weather.
Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler faced his own set of struggles, faltering late in his round with bogeys at key moments, ultimately ending seven shots off the lead with a 72 after encountering a difficult stretch late in the course. Scheffler remained hopeful for a stronger final day, despite frustrations.
The forecast promises more gusty winds and the possibility of rain leading the PGA Tour to adjust tee times for Sunday. Players will start in threesomes from both sides to counter weather threats. Akshay Bhatia, who started the day alongside Min Woo Lee at the top, endured a faltering round early on, ending the day four shots back after a 75. Collin Morikawa’s day was marked by a more gradual decline, ultimately resulting in a round of 77.
Among those in better positions were Patrick Cantlay and Danny Walker, who managed to post competitive scores early in the less challenging conditions. Walker paired a strong redemption round with his new opportunity afforded by a last-minute tournament entry, keeping him in contention for the substantial $4.5 million winner’s prize from an overall purse of $25 million. The stakes are high with significant rewards on offer, including a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
