After inclement weather pushed the third round of the 2011 Players Championship back into Sunday, there were over 25 players within two shots of the lead with many of the leaders with over 30 holes to play on Sunday. But after some early tee times to finish the round, Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell outlasted the field, taking a one shot lead at -12 par into the final round at TPC Sawgrass today.
McDowell shot a -4 par 68 to vault himself atop the leaderboard but veterans K.J. Choi and David Toms sit only one shot behind him at -11 par, and Sacramento Native Nick Watney only one shot behind them at -10. Watney shot an even par 72 after going +4 par for the 3 hole stretch of 14-16, including a double bogey on 14. Not exactly how you want to finish after making 5 birdies in your first 13 holes.
The conditions remain benign out there and there are many birdies for the taking, it will all come down to who can navigate their way through the final three holes and claim the Players Championship as their own.