A water hazard surrounds the green for the 17th hole on the Stadium Course at the TPC (Tournament Players Club) at Sawgrass. (Image: Tony Roberts via Getty Images)
The Players Championship has confirmed a delayed opening for the third round at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday following an incident in which a double murder suspect fled onto the PGA Tour course.
On Friday, local police in St. Johns County were summoned to a shooting at a Walgreens in Ponte Vedra. Two people were shot in the car park and later died from their injuries in hospital.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick identified the fugitive as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, stating that sniffer dogs had tracked him onto the TPC Sawgrass course, according to News4JAX and a video statement on the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.
Barrios reportedly interacted with PGA staff before leaving the area, with police also suggesting he stole a BMW, which he subsequently crashed into a wooded area.
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Rory McIlroy fought off a rough start and a tough crowd to make the cut at The Players Championship (Image: Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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In light of these events, The Players Championship has confirmed a later opening time for TPC Sawgrass today.
« Due to operational conditions, gates for today’s third round will now open at 9 a.m. ET, » read a statement from The Players Championship.
« Tee times will remain as previously scheduled, and all on-course hospitality venues will be open at 11 a.m. ET. »
Away from the commotion at the Walgreens car park, Ludvig Aberg presently leads The Players leaderboard following a remarkable round of 63 on Friday. The Swede holds a two-stroke advantage over Xander Schauffele in second position, standing at 12-under-par heading into the weekend.
Cam Young occupies third spot on the leaderboard at nine-under-par, whilst Corey Conners and Justin Thomas are tied in fourth place on eight-under-par.
Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick remain well positioned at TPC Sawgrass, all sitting on five-under-par.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, who only confirmed his participation at the last moment due to a back issue, has experienced a difficult opening to the tournament.
The Northern Irishman enters the third round at one-over-par, having progressed through the cut by just a single shot.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who became the first player to secure back-to-back Players titles in 2024, is also struggling to establish any momentum.
He stands level with McIlroy on one-over-par entering the weekend.
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