Scottie Scheffler holds the lead at the 2023 Players Championship heading into Sunday as he looks for his second win of the season.
Weather delays on Friday led to a long day of action on Saturday, but Scheffler was impressive to get to 14 strokes under par for the tournament at TPC Sawgrass. It's enough for a two-stroke lead over Min Woo Lee and at least four strokes up on everyone else in the field.
The tournament is far from over, but it will take a strong effort for anyone else to win the high-profile event.
It could create a long day on Sunday as he tries to win the high-profile event.
Leaderboard Through Saturday
1. Scottie Scheffler (-14)
2. Min Woo Lee (-12)
3. Cam Davis (-10)
T4. Tommy Fleetwood (-9)
T4. Aaron Rai (-9)
T4. Chad Ramsey (-9)
T4. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (-9)
T8. Sungjae Im (-8)
T8. David Lingmerth (-8)
T8. Tom Hoge (-8)
Scheffler was the biggest name near the top of the leaderboard the past few rounds, entering the week as the No. 2 player in the world rankings.
He put himself in the lead Saturday after a chip-in eagle on the second hole:
PGA TOUR @PGATOURWhat a touch 🔥<br><br>Scottie Scheffler lights up the crowd with a chip-in eagle to take the lead <a href="">@THEPLAYERSChamp</a>. <a href="">
The 26-year-old added six birdies on his way to a 65, becoming the only player with three rounds in the 60s. He has been one of the most consistent golfers on the tour and he's been especially impressive this week in his approach game.
Shane Bacon @shanebaconScottie Scheffler is so good at golf. The cut cuts when he needs. He has the draw swing. Pitching, putting, bunker play. He consistently answers the simplest yet most complicated question the game asks; what's the fewest number of shots you need to get the ball in the hole?
Scheffler leads the field with 14.429 strokes gained from tee to green, hitting the green in regulation in 75.93 percent of the holes. The only thing that has slowed him down is putting, but it's already good enough to have an easy lead going into the fourth round.
It will make Scheffler difficult to beat, even with others proving themselves with strong scores over the week.
Other challengers still have a chance to pull an upset, including Lee in second place. The 24-year-old was nearly flawless in Round 3, with only a bogey on his 18th holding him back after sitting in the lead for much of the day.
Though he lacks the experience of Scheffler, he's been as good as almost anyone during the week.
No one enters the final day hotter than Tom Hoge, who set a course record with a 62 on Saturday:
Justin Ray @JustinRayGolfTom Hoge: 62 (-10), lowest ever round in <a href="">#ThePlayers</a> at TPC Sawgrass<br><br>More than 17,000 rounds in this event since 1982. Hoge has the only 62.
Simply making the cut was difficult for Hoge after shooting a 78 in Round 1, but now he is in legitimate contention to win the tournament at eight strokes under par.
Cam Davis, Tommy Fleetwood and Sungjae Im are among the other proven players sitting around the leaders, giving a chance to make a run on Sunday. Aaron Rai, who finished minus-four in his last three holes including a hole-in-one at the infamous hole 17, could also keep his momentum heading into Round 4.
Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler are six-under through Round 3, and could climb the leaderboard if others struggle on Sunday.
Despite all of the options, it will be difficult to bet against Scheffler closing out the win.
Predicted winner: Scottie Scheffler
