The shooter fled onto the Players Championship course after gunning down two people
The Players Championship has announced a delayed opening for the third round at TPC Sawgrass, following an incident where a double murder suspect fled onto the PGA Tour course.
On Friday, local police in St. Johns County were called to a shooting at a Walgreens in Ponte Vedra. Two individuals were shot in the car park and later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick identified the fugitive as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, stating that sniffer dogs had tracked him onto the TPC Sawgrass course, according to News4JAX and a video statement on the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.
Barrios reportedly interacted with PGA staff before departing the area, with police also suggesting he stole a BMW, which he subsequently crashed into a wooded area.
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In light of these events, The Players Championship has confirmed a later opening time for TPC Sawgrass today, reports the Mirror US.
“Due to operational conditions, gates for today’s third round will now open at 9 a.m. ET,” read a statement from The Players Championship.
“Tee times will remain as previously scheduled, and all on-course hospitality venues will be open at 11 a.m. ET.”
Away from the chaos at the Walgreens car park, Ludvig Aberg currently tops The Players leaderboard after firing a stunning round of 63 on Friday. The Swede is two shots ahead of Xander Schauffele in second place, sitting at 12-under-par going into the weekend.
Cam Young sits third on the leaderboard at nine-under-par, whilst Corey Conners and Justin Thomas are locked together in fourth place on eight-under-par.
Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick remain firmly in the hunt at TPC Sawgrass, all positioned on five-under-par.
Reigning champion Rory McIlroy, who only committed to competing at the eleventh hour owing to a back problem, has endured a challenging start to the competition.
The Northern Irishman heads into the third round at one-over-par, having scraped through the cut by a solitary stroke.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who became the first player to claim consecutive Players titles in 2024, is also finding it difficult to build any rhythm.
He sits level with McIlroy on one-over-par going into the weekend.
