Just about anyone can still win The Players on Sunday
Basically, if you made the cut and were born after 1975, then you have a chance to win The Players Championship on Sunday. Oh, or if you’re Jerry Kelly, too.
Through three rounds at TPC Sawgrass, 30 players are within five shots of the lead, including outright leader Chris Kirk, who is a 10-under 206 through 54 holes. The clogged leaderboard is a tournament record for the number of players within a handful of shots through three rounds.
Kirk is one clear of Kevin Kisner, who lost in a playoff just three weeks ago to Jim Furyk at Harbour Town, as well Bill Haas and Ben Martin, who are already a winners this season.
Then the logjam really begins, with six players at 8 under par, including 2008 Players winner Sergio Garcia, the up-and-coming Justin Thomas and 36-hole co-leaders Kelly and Na, who will play together again for a second straight day.
Then within striking distance are the likes of Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter.
In each of the last four years, the winning score has been 13-under 275. The cut had also been even-par 144, which proved true again in 2015. So, for Kirk, if history holds, 69 is his target number on Sunday and everyone else in contention should plan accordingly.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
