Kyle Stanley and J.B. Holmes grabbed a share of the lead at 9 under Saturday after Round 3 of the Players Championship.
TPC Sawgrass was a windy challenge Saturday, but Stanley and Holmes grinded out solid rounds to set themselves up for a chance to win their first Players Championship.
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Stanley hit 13 of 14 fairways while firing an even-par 72. Despite his dominance off the tee, he had just three birdies and three bogeys as the greens firmed up throughout the evening.
The island green par-3 17th is a nerve-racking hole that can tame even the most in-form players, but Stanley brushed off the pressure and hit one two feet from the pin.
Holmes also birdied the 17th, and the two bombers should provide plenty of entertainment on Mother's Day.
Louis Oosthuizen, who entered the day tied for the lead, drained a 15-foot par putt on the 18th hole to remain solo third at 8 under. Despite shooting a 1-over 73 Saturday, he has a chance to win his first tournament on U.S. soil.
South Korea's Si Woo Kim, winner of last year's Wyndham Championship, heads into the final round fourth at 7 under. Kim shot a 4-under 68 Saturday with five birdies and just one bogey. He has the consistency tee-to-green to be a threat Sunday.
Emiliano Grillo braved the strong winds early in Round 3 to shoot a 5-under 67 to get to 6 under for the tournament. Grillo, last year's Rookie of the Year, is tied for fifth with Ian Poulter.
Poulter is playing with house's money this week. It was assumed a couple weeks ago that he did not re-earn his Tour card while playing on a major medical extension, but a points readjustment saved his card and earned him a spot in this week's field.
After getting off to a brutal start Thursday, Sergio Garcia charged all the way back into the top 10 with a 5-under 67 in Round 3. Garcia, who is currently tied for seventh at 5 under, finished his third round with six birdies, an eagle and three bogeys.
He is trying to become just the second person in history to win both the Players Championship and the Masters in the same year (Tiger Woods, 2001).
Patrick Cantlay and Alex Noren, playing together Saturday, joined Garcia at 5 under. Noren won three times on the European Tour last year, but he has not won on U.S. soil.
Rafa Cabrera Bello, Francesco Molinari and Pat Perez are also in contention at 4 under. Perez shot a 6-under 66 Saturday, which was the low round of the day.
Former Players Championship winner Adam Scott is lurking at 3 under. Scott again bogeyed the par-5 16th hole, but he looked solid this week and could post a score the Sunday leaders have to look at while they finish their rounds.
