Aussie’s hopes plummet in $40m ‘fifth major’ as chaotic day causes scoreboard carnage

Aussie Min Woo Lee has played himself out of contention after a very disappointing third round at the $40m Players Championship, but he wasn’t alone.

Lee started the day at -11 and in a tie for first in the tournament considered golf’s ‘fifth major’, but struggled all day, with his sole birdie coming after an epic putt off the green on the 18th.

Lee shot a six-over 78 to drop to -5 for the tournament, seven shots behind sole leader J.J Spaun.

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The third round is often referred to as ‘moving day’, and it proved to be true, although most players ‘moved’ in the wrong direction on the leaderboard.

It was absolute carnage at TPC Sawgrass as windy conditions caused havoc, with several stars recording some eye-watering (for the wrong reason) scores.

Rickie Fowler shot an 82 (+12), Emiliano Grillo carded an 85 (+13) while Open runner up Cam Young’s chances went up in flames with a nine-over 81.

American Bud Cauley has been the big mover in the right direction in Round 3, recording a -6, 66 to enter the clubhouse at -11. That score is good enough to be in the final group tomorrow.

If Cauley was to win, it would be quite the story.

He was involved in a car accident back in 2018. He continued playing on tour for a couple of years but in 2020 he started to feel pain down the right side of his body stemming from plates that had been put in his chest following the car crash.

Cauley would have to step away from golf for three-and-a-half years as he underwent several surgeries on his ribs and chest.

He admitted he’s “had a hell of a time” since 2020.

If he was to be successful, it would be his first professional win since 2014.

LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 3

1. J.J Spaun -12

2. Bud Cauley -11

T3. Lucas Glover -9

T3. Alex Smalley -9

T5. Corey Connors -8

T5. Rory McIlroy -8

T5. Akshay Bhatia -8

Six players on -7