PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – Could you’re taking a take a look at who’s leading the Players’ Championship?
Surprise surprise. Scottie Scheffler is top of the leaderboard going into Sunday’s final round at TPC Sawgrass.
Scheffler, who was born in Bergen County, Latest Jersey after which grew up in the Dallas area, spent the higher a part of two years lurking around the PGA Tour leaders, winning five times since the start of the 2021-22 season. champions of 2022.
And he looks so rattling comfortable in the argument, prefer it belongs to him.
“I feel excellent,” said Scheffler after taking the tournament lead with birdies on two of the last three holes, closing 7-under 65 and taking a two-shot lead over Min Woo Lee going into the final round. “[I’ve] he has put in lots of labor over the years and it has been a blessing to see so many results. It was lots of fun. [I’m] hoping it is going to proceed until tomorrow.”
If Scheffler closes the case, it is going to be the second-biggest win of his profession and can see him back to primary in the world rankings ahead of Jon Rahm, who withdrew from The Players on Friday because of a stomach illness.
![Scottie Scheffler is feeling](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000008065811.jpg?w=1024)
“I all the time hope to play well,” said Scheffler. “I prepare myself to be in those moments. I’m on the point of exit here and have game. So while I’m at home preparing for tournaments, I hope to be in that position, and I have been lucky this yr that arduous work continues to repay.”
Scheffler 14-under leads Lee to 12-under, Cam Davis to 10-under and Tommy Fleetwood, Aaron Rai, Chad Ramey and Christiaan Bezuidenhout to 9-under.
Scheffler needs a top-five finish or higher to get back to primary. He said that may be the farthest thing he could consider before going in on Sunday.
“I feel rating is just an algorithm,” he said. “I might fairly win a tournament than return to primary in the world. So that is what I will deal with tomorrow – just exit and play a solid round of golf and the rankings will likely be the rankings. Tomorrow I’ll go there and take a look at to win the golf tournament.
“I actually have been in many rankings. It’s far more fun to be in the lead than to be in the top 20. It’s far more fun to be in the arena and be in the moment.”
Few people seem more comfy under the pressure of the moment than Scheffler.
![Min Woo Lee of Australia comes off the 18th green in the third round of the Players Championship.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000008064086.jpg?w=1024)
Lee, a 24-year-old Australian, looked content as he played in his first Players’ Championship. He won his first hole of the day en path to 31 on the top nine, and his round was flawless until he crashed out of the 18th hole and went out of the tie for the lead.
Scheffler, playing in the group behind Lee, birdied on 18, extending his result in two shots. He and Lee will likely be paired up Sunday in the final group, something Lee said he covered.
“Tomorrow could also be the most vital day of my life, but I will go on the market and rejoice again,” he said. “That is the motto of the last three months. Not taking it too seriously. I wish to rejoice and interact with fans at any time when I can. Unlike the others, , they’re very serious.
“I’m here and having fun. I just snuck into this tournament [by being just inside the top-50 in the world rankings] and make the most of it and absorb all of it. I just had an incredible time today. I did lots of the right things and hopefully I can do it again tomorrow.”
Lee accepted the challenge.
“Sawgrass is terrifying,” he said. “Again and again people have broken down and you do not need to be considered one of them.”
Lee praised Scheffler for his incredible consistency.
“That is where I need to be at some point,” he said. “I feel he’s so good that he’s here and he’s found his craft, and that is where every player desires to be. I hope I can beat him tomorrow, but when I do, it might be lots of effort.