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Agence France-Presse

Lee Westwood birdied two of the last three holes to seize a two-stroke lead over American Bryson DeChambeau after Saturday’s third round of The Players Championship.
The 47-year-old Englishman dropped his approach to four feet at the par-5 16th and made the putt to seize the outright lead, then rolled in a 25-footer for birdie on the famed par-3 17th island green.
Westwood, who parred his way through the front nine, saved par from five feet at the 18th to finish off a bogey-free four-under par 68 and stand on 13-under 203 after 54 holes at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
“I’m delighted with the way I played,” Westwood said. “I needed to be patient and I was. I thought it was a professional round from a 47-year-old veteran.”


It sets up a second final-group Sunday showdown in as many weeks with reigning US Open champion DeChambeau, who beat Westwood last week at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“The Rematch. I love it,” Westwood said. “I like plying with Bryson … he has a game I enjoy watching. He strikes it. What’s there not to like?”
Recharged Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan eyes Olympic medal
DeChambeau closed with a 14-foot par putt to shoot 67 and stand on 205, saying “it’s everything” to make such clutch par putts.
“You’ve got to make those to win tournaments,” DeChambeau said. “Fortunately I was able to make that one at the last. I didn’t want to leave a sour taste in my mouth after playing so well all day.”
The world number six is ready for a rematch with Westwood.
“It’s going to be a battle again tomorrow,” DeChambeau said. “Westy is playing some incredible golf.”

Justin Thomas, winner of the 2017 PGA Championship, was one off the course record with a 64 to match fellow American Doug Ghim in third on 206.
“I wish all rounds were that easy,” Thomas said. “I hit the ball beautifully.”
World number two Jon Rahm of Spain, England’s Paul Casey and American Brian Harman were on 207.
Westwood has 25 European Tour titles and 44 worldwide wins, the most recent last year at Abu Dhabi, but he has not won a US PGA event since the 2010 St. Jude Classic.
Clearwater Bay Open likely to be axed as PGA Tour Series-China cancels season
Westwood, who has made only two bogeys in three rounds, holed an 11-foot birdie putt at the 10th – “a kick in the backsides” – and dropped his approach inside three feet to set up a birdie at the 12th, grabbing a share of the lead and setting up the sizzling finish.
“I expect to go out there and enjoy myself again,” Westwood said. “You do all the hard work and hours on the range to get in situations like I’m in.”


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PGA Tour

The Players: late birdies lift Lee Westwood to the lead at TPC Sawgrass

England’s Lee Westwood walks from the 18th green after the third round of The Players Championship. Photo: TNS

Lee Westwood, of England, kisses his fiancee and caddie, Helen Storey, on the 18th green after the third round of The Players Championship golf tournament Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Players: Chinese players miss out as McIlroy becomes first defending champ to miss cut since 2012

Zhang Xinjun’s trip to The Players Championship in Florida was brief as he missed the cut on Friday. Photo: AFP

epa09070620 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after hitting into a bunker on the ninth hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, 12 March 2021. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER

The Players: China’s Zhang stumbles on debut as Garcia surges to two-shot lead

China’s Zhang Xinjun endured a difficult first round in Florida at The Players Championship. Photo: AFP

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks to Sergio Garcia of Spain during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

China Open: history-making Zhang Jienalin has a chance of making weekend after solid opener

Zhang Jienalin in action during the first round of the 26th Volvo China Open at Genzon Golf Club in Shenzhen, China. Photos: Volvoingolf

Zhang Jienalin during the first round of the 26th Volvo China Open, Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen, China. Mandatory credit: Volvoingolf

Masters: Dustin Johnson wins his first title with record-setting 20 under par

Dustin Johnson of the United States waves during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, US on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images / AFP

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Dustin Johnson of the United States reacts with Sungjae Im of Korea after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 15: Dustin Johnson of the United States reacts as he is interviewed during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Masters: Tiger Woods remains stalled as leaders pull away in third round at Augusta

Tiger Woods now sits off the pace after an even-par third round. Photo: TNS

Tiger Woods prepares to hit from the 4th tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Augusta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Sport

Golf

The English golfer grabbed a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau after the third round
Now a second final-group showdown with reigning US Open champion DeChambeau looms for Sunday’s final round


Englishman Lee Westwood dropped two birdies in the last three holes of the US PGA Players Championship to take the lead over Bryson DeChambeau.


Bryson DeChambeau

Jon Rahm