[ad_1]
Scottie Scheffler will be world No. 1 again if he finishes in the top five at TPC Sawgrass after Jon Rahm’s withdrawal; Scheffler leads Min Woo Lee by two shots before the final round – watch live on Sky Sports Golf from 2pm on Saturday
Last updated: 12/03/23 12:54
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Nick Dougherty and Rich Beem saw the best of leader Scottie Scheffler in the third round of The Players Championship
Nick Dougherty and Rich Beem saw the best of leader Scottie Scheffler in the third round of The Players Championship
Scottie Scheffler said winning The Players was more important to him than earning the No. 1 ranking in the world as he entered the final round at TPC Sawgrass with a two-point lead.
The world number 2 will check Jon Rahm if he finishes in the top five at Ponte Vedra Beach on Sunday with Rahm having withdrawn from The Players before the second round due to a stomach virus.
Scheffler is on 14 under after 54 holes, with Min Woo Lee the nearest challenger on 12 under and British trio Tommy Fleetwood (nine under), Aaron Rai (nine under) and Justin Rose (seven under) also in contention to become the first player . from his country to win the tournament.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Scheffler got into an impressive hole from the start of his third round
Scheffler said: “My ranking is just an algorithm. I’d rather win a tournament than return to No. 1 in the world.
“My focus is going to be going out and having a solid round of golf and the rankings will rank up.”
Scheffler: Hard work has paid off
Scheffler is eyeing a second win in 2023 after successfully defending the WM Phoenix Open last month, while a win in Florida on Sunday would secure his sixth 2022 Masters title in a year.
Live Players Championship
March 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m
Live on 
He added: “I’m ready this time. I’m ready to go out and play well.
“When I’m at home and getting ready for the tournament, I hope that I’ll be in this position, and I’ve been lucky so far this year because hard work continues to pay off.
“I’ve been on a lot of leaderboards and it’s more fun in the lead than 20. It’s more fun in the arena and in the moment.”
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Tommy Fleetwood is looking to become The Players’ first British champion
Fleetwood: ‘Amazing’ is a statement at The Players
Fleetwood is still looking for his first PGA Tour victory after six on the DP World Tour.
Asked what added extra incentive, the Englishman said: “No, no. That has been my goal, my dream, my incentive for as long as I have been playing here.
“I’d love to finish it now. I’d love to finish it many times. But I haven’t. Sunday is another chance.
“I think it will be great to go out there teeing off on Sunday with a chance to win the Players. It’s an amazing feeling.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
England’s Aaron Rai won for the 17th time at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday
“But the important thing for me is to play like the players I want to play, and to be at that standard with the best players in the world, to give myself more opportunities.
“I haven’t made enough of a statement at the beginning of the year, so this is a good time to start. The more I can play like I want to play, the more I give myself a chance and hopefully, the time will come.”
Rose: Pebble Beach wins have taken the pressure off
Rose is two shots behind compatriot Fleetwood after a bogey on the 18th on Saturday.
The 42-year-old is looking to add to the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm title he won last month, his first win since 2019.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Justin Rose says he almost had a ‘special’ third round at The Players
Rose said: “Obviously I’ve enjoyed a lot of success on the PGA Tour and the last few seasons haven’t been easy.
“The results are not good, so you often scratch your head. I think that can lead to frustration.
“I hope the victory has taken a little cover from the pressure cooker. You can go to it a bit more walking down, play a little freer.
“When you believe in the leaderboard week-in, week-out, you play in a slightly different mode.”
Watch The Players final round live on Sky Sports Golf from 2pm on Sunday.
Get the best prices and go round at one of our 1,700 courses in the UK & Ireland
[ad_2]
Source link