Jordan Spieth and Martin Kaymer are three shots clear of the field as they share the lead after three rounds of the 41st Players Championship at the iconic TPC Sawgrass, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
20-year-old sensation Spieth began Saturday one shot behind a resurgent Kaymer, who claimed major glory at the 2010 PGA Championship on route to becoming the world’s top ranked golfer.
In contrast to the previous two days, scoring was more difficult on Pete Dye’s most famous design, with the wind up and the unusually soft greens playing noticeably firmer than they did during the opening two rounds of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
It was a day that demanded the ability to grind out a score from the leaders, and Spieth certainly illustrated his credentials in that regard. The world number seven, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the game in the past 18 months, would shoot a third round of 71, which included 17 pars to ensure that he would become just the second player in tournament history to complete the opening three rounds without having dropped a shot.
Greg Norman was the only other player to have matched that feat, an astonishing statistic on a layout that is so awkward and deceptive. The legendary Australian would go onto claim victory that week 20 years ago, with Spieth hoping to achieve the same result tomorrow.
However, in his way stands the likeable 29-year-old Kaymer, who had looked back his metronomic best after recording rounds of 63 and 69. Saturday wasn’t quite as prolific for the Dusseldorf native, who had struggled in the past two years after his ascension to the summit of the golfing world in 2011.
The two-time Ryder Cup player would extend his lead over his younger playing part to two shots, after birdies on the sixth and ninth. That would see him recover from a dropped shot on the fourth, with Spieth on a train of pars that would run until the par five 11th.
At this stage, the final pairing would be separated by just a solitary shot. That was until Kaymer made a bogey on the imposing 18th, with Spieth making a miraculous save for par in order to tie the lead.
In some respects, Spieth was fortunate to be in that position, with approaches to the 16th and 17th greens both missing the water narrowly. On both shots he appeared consigned to facing a watery grave, but lady luck was on his side. However, given the nature of his play during the past three days, he earned the leeway of a few lucky breaks.
Having both noted how much they enjoyed playing with the other in post-round interviews, they will meet again on the first tee for the final round. Only this time, they are tied, and it should be a compelling battle to see who claims the $1,800,000 prize tomorrow.
However, if they are to slip up on this devilish design, then John Senden and Sergio Garcia may the players most likely to capitalise on Sunday.
The 42-year-old Australian, who recently claimed his second PGA Tour victory in Florida, shot a third round of 68 to position himself at nine-under, three shots back of the lead. He would be joined by Garcia, the winner of this championship in 2008, who himself shot 69 on Saturday, despite a disappointing three-putt for bogey on the 17th on a hole that cost the Spaniard dearly 12 months ago.
Matt Jones, George McNeill and Gary Woodland may yet prove to be spoilers on Sunday at eight-under, with Francesco Molinari, David Hearn and Lee Westwood a shot further behind at seven-under, all requiring a strong final round if they are to snatch the title from either of the two leaders.
Somehow, Pete Dye’s brainchild consistently offers drama on excitement on Sunday, and there is no reason why Sunday won’t prove to be compelling at TPC Sawgrass, particularly with the talent of Spieth and Kaymer at the summit.