American Carl Paulson shot his third straight three-under-par 69 on Saturday to move one stroke clear of the field at the six million-dollar Players’ Championship as he seeks the first win of his five-year PGA Tour career.
New Zealander Craig Perks, one of seven players outside the top 200 in the World Rankings who made the cut, matched Paulson's 69 to remain within one shot of the lead.
Paulson, 31, is trying to become just the ninth player in the 29-year history of this tournament to win after holding a share of the second-round lead.
"Probably most people are surprised, but the people that I work with, my coach and my family, are probably not going to be as surprised," Paulson said.
"Given that it's such a big tournament and I am not a so-called household name in professional golf, there's going to be a lot of people that are surprised."
Paulson did not falter yesterday, getting an early eagle and off-setting a bogey with a pair of birdies to reach nine-under 207 around Sawgrass.
"In my mind, I know I am going to win golf tournaments out there, it's just a matter of putting my thoughts together and executing the shots until I win one," he said.
Rocco Mediate shot 69 and was tied with Jeff Sluman at six-under while the defending champion Tiger Woods was among a group of five players at three-under 213 after a two-under 70.
Unfortunately Padraig Harrington, the only Irish golfer to make the cut, had a miserable experience on the Florida course. The 30-year-old carded a five-over 77 and dropped back to three-over 219.
PA