Players Championship: Finally… A first round over!

It took three days, but the PGA golfers finally concluded the first round of the Players Championship on Saturday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Heavy rains had caused huge delays during the first two days of the event. Even the participants who had to finish their first 18 holes were only able to return to the field at noon on Saturday, since the rain was still beating down on the course in the morning.

Several athletes were even able to conclude their second round during this third day of activities, but a majority of them were still on the fairways of the TPC Sawgrass, while some others were not even able to present themselves at the first tee departure when darkness forced the interruption of the game.

Under these conditions, the Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and the American Tom Hoge are still at the top of the standings, with a score of -6, they who had the chance to complete their first round on Thursday. Fleetwood hit the greens on three of the 18 holes in its second round, while Hoge will begin his second outing on the legendary course on Sunday.

Like Hoge, Canada’s Taylor Pendrith, the highest-ranked Maple Leaf representative, will play all of his second round – and likely part of the third round, if he qualifies – on Sunday. He sits two shots off the co-leaders with a four-under-par (-4) score.

Several Canadians

Among the other Canadians, Corey Conners will also have to start a second time on all the tee boxes at TPC Sawgrass in order to qualify for the third and fourth rounds, with a score of -2. Roger Sloan will also fight for his survival, he who cut a shot (-1) to par after 21 holes.

For his part, Adam Hadwin will need a little miracle, he who is currently one shot away from avoiding the ax, with a score of +1. He still has to run on three pennants to end his second round. Barring an unexpected turnaround, Mackenzie Hughes’ Players Championship run is over, having hit the ball 148 (+4) times in 36 holes.