Ludvig Aberg did not provide the fireworks of Friday but will take a three-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Players Championship in Florida.
The Swede, who shot a 63 in round two to move two clear at the halfway mark, backed that up with a one-under-par 71 to improve to 13 under overall.
But while the 26-year-old serenely plotted his way round the famed TPC Sawgrass course, most of his closest challengers failed to spark.
His playing partner, two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, drove the ball well but was wayward with his second shots into greens as he posted a two-over 74 to slip five off the pace.
However, unheralded 24-year-old American Michael Thorbjornsen posted a 67 to leap up to second on the leaderboard, on 10 under par.
He is one ahead of Cameron Young, who found water off the tee on the 18th and dropped two shots on the last hole to end the day as he started it, on nine under.
Young was not the only player to struggle on the last.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick was 10 under par on the 18th tee but a scruffy double-bogey finish took the shine off his round as he posted a 69 to be joint fourth on eight under.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre started round three at level par but posted the lowest score of the day – and his Players career – holing nine birdies in a superb seven-under 65, but is likely too far back to threaten Aberg.
More to follow.
