Where the world's top 3 stand — in game and mind — after 36 holes together at The Players
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – At the turn of the PGA Tour’s flagship event, TPC Sawgrass has proven again the virtues of an eclectic leaderboard.
The Stadium Course has a storied history of bringing the best out of both the superstar and journeyman with unrivaled equality, with Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa currently sharing the top of the marque with the likes of J.J. Spaun and Jacob Bridgeman. It’s the secret sauce of The Players Championship, but Friday under perfect spring skies, the real narrative went no deeper than the 8:24 a.m. three-ball of Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy and Xander Schauffele – Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the world, respectively.
Thirty-six holes into the major championship season – let’s end the debate; The Players is a major in every way except name – it’s worth checking on golf’s current Big 3, starting with the top dog.
For the second consecutive day, Scheffler proved that he’s not in the mood as he continues to tinker his way towards next month’s Masters.
“Well, I'm still right here, so, don't need to get back anywhere. I'm right here,” he said when asked about “being frustrated at getting back to where” he was last year.
“As far as the frustration, yeah, like for instance the last two days I felt like I could have scored a lot better. The amount of good putts I hit that just went right around the hole. … But still doing a lot of good things, hitting a lot of good putts and looking forward to trying to climb the leaderboard over the weekend.”
Following off-season surgery on his right hand, Scheffler has appeared rusty at times this season, albeit with otherwise respectable finishes in his four starts. Last week at Bay Hill, he appeared to turn a corner with his ball-striking, finishing second in the field in strokes gained: tee to green, but he wasn’t sharp on the greens.
After shooting 69-72 at TPC Sawgrass, he was tied for 16th when he finished his round, with similar results – he’s third in the field in strokes gained: approach the green but 82nd in putting.
Given his dominance the last two years, any assessment of his current game is going to be relatively twisted, but by that standard, which can certainly be an unrealistic benchmark, he still has room for improvement.
McIlroy’s week is far more straightforward. The 2019 Players champion has been his dominant self off the tee, picking up nearly two shots on the field, and he was tied fourth following a second-round 68.
The driver woes that slowed him last week at Bay Hill, the byproduct of some ill-timed equipment experimentation, are a thing of the past and his use of a soft fade to the “safe” side of the Stadium Course’s fairways (even when he's missed them) has been nothing short of inspired.
“Hit it much better off the tee. I think I hit more fairways in six holes today than I did in 18 yesterday,” said McIlroy, who hit 11 of 14 fairways on Day 2 following just four fairways hit Thursday. “I got it in play much better and then from there was able to give myself some opportunities and obviously make some birdies early. Couldn't quite continue that on to the back nine, but it was much better off the tee.”
Which brings us to the curious outlier. Schauffele assessed his play at TPC Sawgrass as “pretty gross” and added that his game “feels pretty bad.”
Rounds of 72-71 have given Schauffele little to cheer about, and there was no aspect of his game that escaped his wrath: “Not hitting it close enough, to duffing chips, to missing every fairway, to hitting fairways to missing greens,” he said. He ranked outside the top 35 in every major statistical category and will begin the weekend at least 10 shots back.
When asked if he was being a little tough on himself, he had no interest in moral victories: “I think I'm being just fine on myself,” he said.
The Players is Schauffele’s third start of the year after being slowed with a rib injury but it is clear that of the Big 3, he has the most work to do as the major championship season gets underway.
-
Alejandro Tosti dives into water after making hole-in-one on par-3 17th Wednesday at The Players
Alejandro Tosti on Wednesday ahead of The Players aced the famed 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course and promptly made a splash.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
After 18 holes at 2025 Players Championship, who's in danger of missing the cut?
The cut at the 2025 Players Championship will be the top 65 and ties.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Do these 3 things before a job interview to stand out, says ex-Google exec: They ‘keep you top of mind’
Ex-Google executive Jenny Wood recommends jobseekers write a LinkedIn post about their prospective company within days of their interview.CNBC - 4d -
Here's where UNC basketball stands in NCAA bracket predictions
Just days before selection Sunday and UNC basketball in the ACC semifinals, here is where they stand in the Top 10 NCAA bracket predictions.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
TPC Sawgrass 17th hole: What to know about famous 'Island Green' at the 2025 Players Championship
Some key numbers, facts and memories about one of the most famous holes of golf in the entire worldCBS Sports - 2d -
Cassie Porter, Nasa Hataoka share LPGA lead through 36 holes in China
Cassie Porter and Nasa Hataoka were atop the leaderboard with a one-shot lead Friday after the second round of the Blue Bay LPGA.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 7 -
2025 Players: Jordan Spieth settles after wild first nine Thursday
Spieth had a pair of eagle hole-outs over his first seven holes in the opening round of The Players Championship.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Wyndham Clark is the fourth player to withdraw from 2025 Players Championship
Clark made the decision after nine holes Friday.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Wyndham Clark, last year's runner-up withdraws mid-round Friday at the 2025 Players
Clark withdrew after nine holes during the second round of The Players Championship.Yahoo Sports - 4h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
The Players Championship third round tee times, how to watch: Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee share lead at TPC Sawgrass
Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee hold a one-shot lead entering moving day in Florida.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Fantasy Fallout: Cooper Kupp signs with the Seattle Seahawks
Cooper Kupp is looking to revive his career in Seattle, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba's dominance from the slot could be an issue for the veteran receiver.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
2025 Players Championship Saturday third round tee times, how to watch
Here's what you need to know about the TV and streaming information as well as the tee times for the third round of the Players. All times ET.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC Kansas City main event
Former title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree will throw down in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree preview Former champion Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) ...Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC Kansas City main event
Former title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree will throw down in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree preview Former champion Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) ...Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Team-by-team preview: Can Orlando Pride repeat as champions?
With the National Women's Soccer League returning to action this weekend, we take a look at where the 14 clubs stands and how close each is to winning the NWSL championship.ESPN - 14m -
The Players Championship third round tee times, how to watch: Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee share lead at TPC Sawgrass
Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee hold a one-shot lead entering moving day in Florida.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Fantasy Fallout: Cooper Kupp signs with the Seattle Seahawks
Cooper Kupp is looking to revive his career in Seattle, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba's dominance from the slot could be an issue for the veteran receiver.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Why Geovany Quenda can be Chelsea's answer to Saka
Chelsea look set to land the Sporting CP teen in 2026 and Quenda's style has been compared to an Arsenal star.ESPN - 19m -
Transfer rumors, news: Newcastle eye Kolo Muani as replacement for Isak
Newcastle are interested in Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani, but could face competition from other Premier League clubs. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 19m