J.J. Spaun Leads Heading Into Final Round
Scheffler’s three-peat hopes fade as Spaun, Cauley, and McIlroy battle for the title.
The 2025 Players Championship is set for a thrilling finale at TPC Sawgrass, with J.J. Spaun holding a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. As the PGA Tour’s flagship event reaches its climax, the stage is set for a dramatic finish—and a potential changing of the guard.
The Leader:
J.J. Spaun, a 34-year-old PGA Tour veteran, carded a steady third-round 70 to reach 12-under par, one shot clear of Bud Cauley. Spaun, who has just one PGA Tour win to his name (the 2022 Valero Texas Open), is having the best performance of his career at TPC Sawgrass. Known for his consistency this week, he’s made only three bogeys through 54 holes and has been stellar around the greens, scrambling at an impressive rate.
“I’m just trying to stay patient and take it one shot at a time,” Spaun said after his round. “This course can bite you at any moment, so you have to stay focused.”
Chasing Pack: Cauley and McIlroy
Bud Cauley, a former Jacksonville resident, surged into contention with a third-round 66, the lowest score of the day. At 11-under, Cauley is just one shot behind Spaun and will be looking to secure his first PGA Tour win since 2017.
Rory McIlroy, the 2019 champion, is lurking three shots back at 9-under. McIlroy has a history of strong finishes at TPC Sawgrass, and his ability to dominate the back nine (he’s 56-under on the back since 2013) makes him a serious threat.
“I’m right where I need to be,” McIlroy said. “I just need to clean up a few things and stay aggressive.”
Scheffler’s Three-Peat Dream Fades
Scottie Scheffler, the two-time defending champion, saw his hopes of a historic three-peat all but disappear with a third-round 72. At 5-under, Scheffler is seven shots behind Spaun and will need a miracle to climb back into contention.
“It’s frustrating, but that’s golf,” Scheffler said. “I’ll keep grinding and see what happens.”
Notable Names in the Mix
- Lucas Glover and Alex Smalley are tied for third at 9-under.
- Akshay Bhatia, the 23-year-old rising star, struggled on Saturday with a 75 but remains in the top 10 at 8-under.
- Corey Conners and Sepp Straka are also at 8-under, within striking distance of the lead.
Weather Watch: Windy Conditions Ahead
The final round is expected to be a battle against the elements, with strong winds forecasted to gust up to 30 mph. TPC Sawgrass is already one of the most challenging courses on tour, and the wind could make scoring even more difficult.
“The wind is going to be a huge factor,” said Billy Horschel, who is tied for 11th at 7-under. “It’s going to test every part of your game.”
2025 Players Championship Leaderboard (Top 16)
After Round 3
Position | Player | Total | Thru | R1 | R2 | R3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | J.J. Spaun | -12 | F | -6 | -4 | -2 |
2 | Bud Cauley | -11 | F | -4 | -1 | -6 |
T3 | Lucas Glover | -9 | F | -6 | -2 | -1 |
T3 | Alex Smalley | -9 | F | -4 | -5 | E |
T5 | Akshay Bhatia | -8 | F | -5 | -6 | +3 |
T5 | Corey Conners | -8 | F | -1 | -1 | -6 |
T5 | Rory McIlroy | -8 | F | -5 | -4 | +1 |
T8 | Patrick Cantlay | -7 | F | -3 | -2 | -2 |
T8 | Stephan Jaeger | -7 | F | -4 | -1 | -2 |
T8 | Jake Knapp | -7 | F | -3 | -4 | E |
T8 | Max McGreevy | -7 | F | -4 | -1 | -2 |
T8 | Sepp Straka | -7 | F | -2 | -4 | -1 |
T8 | Danny Walker | -7 | F | +1 | -2 | -6 |
T14 | Ryan Gerard | -6 | F | E | -3 | -3 |
T14 | J.T. Poston | -6 | F | +1 | -4 | -3 |
T16 | Chris Kirk | -5 | F | -2 | -1 | -2 |
What to Watch on Sunday
- Can Spaun hold on? The veteran has never won an event of this magnitude, and the pressure will be immense.
- Will Cauley or McIlroy make a charge? Both players have the experience and skill to mount a comeback.
- How will the wind impact play? TPC Sawgrass is tough enough without 30 mph gusts.
Your Turn: Who’s Your Pick to Win?
At Better Golf Academy, we love a good underdog story. Will it be Spaun, Cauley, or McIlroy? Let us know your predictions in the comments—and don’t forget to tune in for what’s sure to be an unforgettable final round!