If the WIND is UP… So are the scores at THE PLAYERS Championship

Photos and Story by Greg Wise

Here are some noteworthy moments from the third round of The Players Championship 2025.

J.J. Spaun, leading the third round at 12-under par, aims for his second PGA TOUR win in his 228th start, following his 2022 Valero Texas Open victory.

His best finish since that win was at the 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beach, where he tied for 2nd place just two weeks ago. Maybe that winning feeling is there.

Bud Cauley, at 11-under par and one stroke behind Spaun, was added to the field on Monday as the first alternate after Lee Hodges withdrew due to a rib injury.

With World Ranking number of 251, should Cauley pull off the win at The Players on Sunday, he would be the lowest ranked player to win THE PLAYERS Championship.  (Craig Perks did won in 2022 with a ranking of 203.

Alex Smalley, tied for third after 54 holes, aims to win his first PGA TOUR title at THE PLAYERS Championship, joining Craig Perks (2002) and Tim Clark (2010).

At 45 years old, Lucas Glover tied for third with Smalley and aims to become the second-oldest winner of THE PLAYERS Championship in his 16th appearance. A great friend, Steve Stuber, would cheer him on with “Go Tigers… bring that victory home for Clemson.”

The final round tee times have changed: players will now compete in groups of three on Sunday, using both the 1st and 10th tees to avoid the anticipated afternoon rain.

Will Zalatoris
Tommy Fleetwood
Rory McIlroy
Jake Knapp
Collin Morikawa
Jordan Spieth
Look down the 16th Hole
Number 2 after the leaders passed through
Akshay Bhatia
The Press Room

Greg and Beverly Wise have been traveling the world, playing and writing about their golf experiences as “Golf the Wise Way,” and submitting to numerous publications.

Greg has played golf for more than 60 years and truly believes that “a picture is worth a thousand words…” so, Beverly and Greg both excel in getting the right photos to enhance their stories.