Aberg Leads at The Players, Kim Finds a Moment to Relax Amidst Delays

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Ludvig Aberg maintained his lead at The Players Championship on Friday, carding a remarkable nine-under 63 at TPC Sawgrass. Meanwhile, his playing partner, Si Woo Kim, took an unconventional break during a significant delay on the seventh tee.

Aberg’s Stellar Performance

Aberg’s impressive round included an eagle on the second hole and another chip-in eagle on the ninth, propelling him to 12-under par for the tournament. He currently holds a two-shot lead over Xander Schauffele.

“I think overall I felt like I was striking it quite nice,” Aberg said. “I kind of got away with a few tee balls in the middle of the round where I wasn’t hitting the fairways necessarily. But yeah, I think I got away with a few for sure. But I feel like my iron play has been pretty great lately.”

Aberg, who uses TPC Sawgrass as his home facility during the offseason, acknowledged the advantage of familiarity with the course. “Is there an advantage [to playing here regularly]? Maybe,” he said. “But you still have to hit the shots.”

Kim’s Unconventional Break

The pairing of Aberg and Kim became a twosome after Collin Morikawa withdrew on Thursday due to a back injury sustained during his first round. This resulted in a slow pace of play, with significant delays between shots.

During a particularly lengthy wait on the seventh tee, Kim was observed taking a cigarette break in the woods. Aberg, in contrast, remained on the tee box, stoically looking into the distance.

“Yeah, it was a challenge for sure,” Aberg admitted. “It’s no secret that I’m a fast player and I like it fast.”

The Players Championship Landscape

The leaderboard at The Players Championship features a mix of established stars and emerging talents. Neither Rory McIlroy nor Scottie Scheffler is within ten shots of the lead heading into Saturday. McIlroy is currently at 1 over, 13 shots off the lead, while Scheffler made the cut by one shot, also at 1 over.

Four of the six players within five shots of the lead—Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young, Corey Conners and Sepp Straka—are seeking their first major championship victory. Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas also remain in contention, with an opportunity to revitalize their careers.

Looking Ahead

Aberg’s performance has sparked discussion about the potential for a breakout season and even fueled speculation about the Players Championship’s status as a potential major championship. The outcome of the tournament holds significance not only for the players but also for the recent CEO of the PGA Tour, Brian Rolapp.

As Aberg prepares for the third round, the tournament remains poised for a dramatic finish, with the promise of a crowning achievement for the champion and a positive moment for the PGA Tour.