J.J. Spaun sets sail toward 1-shot lead at The Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - It was a case of damage limitation in difficult, wind-swept conditions Saturday at The Players Championship where J.J. Spaun emerged with a one-shot lead after the third round.

The 34-year-old Californian, who earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2022 Valero Texas Open after 147 career starts, hung tough to card a 2-under-par 70 at the TPC Sawgrass for a 12-under total of 204.

Spaun led by two after sinking a 30-footer for birdie from off the green at the par-5 16th. He then stumbled with a three-putt bogey from long range at the iconic 17th hole before saving par with a 25-foot putt at 18 to stay one shot ahead.

Bud Cauley, who earned a spot in the PGA Tour's flagship event after Lee Hodges withdrew Monday, was alone in second at 11 under after firing a sparkling six-under 66, while Lucas Glover (71) and Alex Smalley (72) were at 9-under.

Scoring was not at all easy for the late starters as winds strengthened from 15-20 mph in the afternoon, with gusts up to 34 mph. The scoreboard fluctuated wildly, and six players held at least a share of the lead.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, two strokes off the pace overnight, stayed in the title hunt with a 73 that included three birdies and four bogeys. He was in a tie for fifth at 8-under par with Akshay Bhatia (75) and Canada's Corey Conners (66).

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning champion who is bidding for an unprecedented third successive Players victory, stood at 5 under after a 72 that included two bogeys in his last three holes.

"It was a tough finish for me," said Scheffler. "I felt like I did some good things there towards the end and just the shots weren't going exactly where I thought they were going to. ... I did a pretty good job managing it most of the day. It was just really tough out there."

Due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday afternoon, the PGA Tour moved up start times for Sunday's final round, with the field teeing off in threesomes from 8-10:01 a.m. ET. Those lower on the leaderboard will start their rounds on the 10th hole.

--Mark Lamport-Stokes, Field Level Media