Schauffele leads Clark heading into Players' finale

Xander Schauffele produced a stunning bogey-free third round to open a one-shot lead heading into Sunday's finale of the 50th Players Championship.

The American hit seven birdies in a 65 that saw him overhaul halfway leader Wyndham Clark's four-shot advantage and finish on 17 under par at Sawgrass.

Clark is 16 under after a scrappy 70 while Open champion Brian Harman is 15 under after a superb 64.

Matt Fitzpatrick had six birdies in his final 10 holes to get to 13 under.

No English player has won the Players Championship, in its anniversary this year, but the 2022 US Open champion had a sensational back nine to keep himself in contention.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is also still in with a shout, carding a four-under 68 to be a shot behind Fitzpatrick despite playing with a neck injury.

The world number one, who took the unusual step of having physio during Friday's second round, played with tape on his neck in round three and looked in discomfort at various points.

Number two-ranked Rory McIlroy was also in battling mode, after a level-par front nine. Successive birdies on the 11th and 12th were cancelled out by a scruffy double bogey on the par-four 14th but the Northern Irishman finished on a high with three successive birdies from the 16th to card a 69 and nine-under total.

More to follow.