Xander Schauffele produced a superb bogey-free third round to open a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final of the 50th Players Championship.
The American made seven birdies in a 65 that saw him overtake midway leader Wyndham Clark’s four-shot advantage and finish at 17 under par at Sawgrass.
Clark is 16 after a scrappy 70 while Open champion Brian Harman is 15 after a superb 64.
Matt Fitzpatrick made six birdies in his final 10 holes to reach 13 under.
No English player has won the Players Championship, on its anniversary this year, but the 2022 US Open champion had a sensational nine to stay in contention.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is also still around, carding a four-under 68 to be one shot behind Fitzpatrick despite a neck injury.
The world number one, who took the unusual step of seeking treatment during Friday’s second round, played with tape on his neck in the third round and appeared uncomfortable on several occasions.
Rory McIlroy, number two, was also in fighting mode, after a par-level front nine. Successive birdies on 11 and 12 were canceled out by a scruffy double bogey on the par four 14, but the Northern Irishman finished in style with three successive birdies from 16 to make a total of 69 and nine under.
More soon.