Scottie Scheffler takes two-shot lead from Min Woo Lee at Players Championship to edge close to world No. 1 spot

Updated 12/03/2023 at 09:39 GMT

Having lost the world No. 1 spot last month, Scottie Scheffler has given himself a big chance to return to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings by taking the lead at the Players Championship going into the final round. Scheffler is on 14-under after three rounds and will carry a two-shot advantage from Australian Min Woo Lee going into Sunday’s action in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

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Scottie Scheffler took the lead of the Players Championship after a stunning third round to move closer to becoming world No. 1.

A top five result for Scheffler will ensure he goes top of the Official World Golf Rankings after Jon Rahm's mid-tournament withdrawal and Rory McIlroy missed the cut.

An eagle, six birdies and a bogey on his way to a seven-under 65 to move into top spot from Min Woo Lee, who is two shots behind.

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"I think the ranking is just an algorithm,” said Scheffler. “I would much rather win the tournament than get back to No 1 in the world.

"My focus is going out and having a solid round of golf and the rankings will be the rankings.

"I prepare to be in these moments. I prepare to come out here and play well. When I'm at home getting ready for tournaments, I'm hopeful that I'm going to be in this position, and I've been fortunate so far this year that the hard work is continuing to pay off.

"I've been on a lot of leaderboards and it's a lot more fun being in the lead than being 20th. It's a lot more fun being in the arena and being in the moment."

Cam Davis is a further two shots adrift, with Aaron Rai, Tommy Fleetwood, Chad Ramey and Christiaan Bezuidenhout another shot behind on nine-under.

On the par-three 17th, Rai became the first Englishman to make a hole-in-one and on the 18th, Tom Hoge putted home his 10th birdie of the day for a 62, which was a new course record.

Players Championship leaderboard going into final round

1. Scottie Scheffler, 14-under
2. Min Woo Lee, 12-under
3. Cam Davis, 10-under
T4. Tommy Fleetwood, nine-under
T4. Aaron Rai, nine-under
T4. Chad Ramey, nine-under
T4. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, nine-under
T8. Tom Hodge, eight-under
T8. Im Sung-jae, eight-under
T8. David Lingmerth, eight-under

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