Players Championship affected by fatal shooting as opening of gates delayed

TPC Sawgrass delayed the opening of spectator gates at the Players Championship after a fatal shooting nearby on Friday night.

Round three of the PGA Tour’s flagship event began as scheduled at 8.15am local time in Florida but fans were not permitted entry until 9am.

Getty

It came after St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced two people were killed at a drug store less than a mile from the course in Ponte Vedra Beach at 10.30pm the previous evening.

The suspect is still at large and was tracked onto the course by local authorities during their pursuit.

“Due to operational considerations, gates for today’s third round will now open at 9 am ET,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.

“We have worked closely with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and appreciate the coordination and partnership from Sheriff Rob Hardwick and his team.

“Please note, tee times will remain as previously scheduled, and all on-course hospitality venues will open at 11 am ET.”

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler were among the first players out on the course on Saturday morning after making the cut on the number.

What we know

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick revealed the suspect is Christian Barrios and the incident is being treated as a domestic violence situation.

It occurred in the car park of a Walgreens store and the two victims were shot multiple times.

Both were taken to hospital by emergency services, where they tragically died from their injuries.

Hardwick added that Barrios picked up a PGA Tour radio while on TPC Sawgrass property and later dropped it.

Getty

The 32-year-old suspect also stole a black BMW, which was pursued by authorities in the north-east of Florida before a crash in the woods.

Barrios, who fled on foot, is said to have a long criminal history and an awareness of who the victims were.

What’s happening in the golf?

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg leads the biggest golf event of the PGA Tour season by two shots over American Xander Schauffele.

World no.2 McIlroy only just made it through to the weekend after battling with a back injury in the days leading up the tournament.

And world no.1 Scheffler appears to be out of sorts, having to fight to make his 70th consecutive cut on Tour.

The Players is often referred to as golf’s unofficial fifth major and up to 60,000 spectators are expected to roll through the gates on Saturday.