Xander Schauffele fires a 65 to take lead at The Players

Field Level Media|published: Sat 16th March, 19:30 2024

Mar 16, 2024; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; Xander Schauffele plays from the 3rd tee during the third round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. credits: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Xander Schauffele shot 65 to take the lead from playing partner Wyndham Clark in the third round of The Players Championship on Saturday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Schauffele played a bogey-free round that began with a strong front nine that included birdies on Nos. 2, 4, 6 and 9 at TPC Sawgrass.

Clark, the reigning U.S. Open champ, enjoyed a four-shot lead over Schauffele and Canadian Nick Taylor entering play on Saturday, but a bogey on the eighth hole and another at No. 17 caused the lead to slip away.

Brian Harman fired a best-of-the-day 64 to reach 15-under, two strokes back of Schauffele.

Matt Fitzpatrick (68) of England and Maverick McNealy (68) shared fourth place at 13-under, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (68) and Sahith Theegala (67) another shot back at 12-under.

Nate Lashley was alone in eighth at 11-under following a 67, while Taylor Montgomery and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama each shot a 68 and shared ninth place with JT Poston (69) at 10-under.

Taylor struggled to a 76, taking him from a tie for second all the way down to a tie for 29th.

—Field Level Media