The Players Championship saw J.J. Spaun secure a one-shot lead going into the final round with a 2-under 70 score, despite challenging winds that made it difficult for players to navigate the course.
Spaun’s par putt on the 18th hole was a fitting end to a wild and windy day that also produced notable performances from other players. Bud Cauley finished with three birdies on his last four holes for a 66, putting him just one shot behind Spaun.
However, not all players were able to overcome the strong gusts and variable conditions. Lucas Glover struggled, finishing with a double bogey on the 15th hole, while Will Zalatoris slipped from a lead position to 10 shots behind after playing poorly in the final five holes of his round.
Rory McIlroy salvaged a respectable 73, leaving him four shots behind Spaun. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler’s disappointing performance saw him bogey two of his last three holes, costing him a chance to challenge for the lead.
Despite his struggles, some players managed to hold onto their positions in the leaderboard. Akshay Bhatia put up a good fight after a poor start, finishing four shots behind Spaun, while Collin Morikawa struggled with eight bogeys, leaving him 8 strokes behind.
The final round is expected to be even more challenging, with more wind and rain forecasted. The PGA Tour has moved up the tee times to send players off in threesomes from both sides Sunday morning.
Source: https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/44268811/spaun-carries-1-shot-lead-final-round-tough-players