Conditions improve at Sawgrass

Relatively gentle conditions greeted the early starters in the third round at the Players Championship.

After yesterday’s brutal winds, which gusted to more than 30mph and sent scores soaring at the Sawgrass TPC, conditions today seemed tailor-made for one of the early starters to vault into contention.

Luke Donald, one of only two British players to make the cut, had an early tee time after making the cut with nothing to spare at three over par.

Ian Poulter was out much later after posting a one-under score through 36 holes, while American Kenny Perry had the halfway lead at six-under 138.

Perry headed Spaniard Sergio Garcia, German Bernhard Langer and American Paul Goydos by one stroke.

While those who survived for the weekend prepared for 36 more holes, five British players headed home early, as did Padraig Harrington.

The Open champion’s chances were blown away late yesterday afternoon, when he played his back nine in 42 strokes to shoot a six-over 78.

Only one European, Sandy Lyle in 1987, has won the flagship event on the United States PGA Tour.