The final pairing is on the course at TPC Sawgrass, and leader Kevin Na has extended the margin to two shots through the first three holes. Na is 13-under after getting a birdie on the par-5 second, while Matt Kuchar is off to a disappointing start. Kuchar bogeyed the first and then, unlike Na, he failed to capitalize on a good birdie opportunity at the second, opening his round with two 5s. He saved par at No. 3 with a lengthy putt that used all of the cup before dropping in for the three.
The Players Championship 2012: Kevin Na Extends Lead, Rickie Fowler Charging
Rickie Fowler, who’s looking to go back-to-back after getting his first career win last week in Charlotte, birdied two of the first four holes to take sole possession of second place at 11-under. He drained a lengthy putt with severe break on No. 4, rattling the back of the cup to provoke a loud roar. One-time leader Zach Johnson has had a roller-coaster start, going eagle-bogey-birdie on holes two through four. He’s at 9-under and four shots back of Na.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, wrapped up an ugly final round with a 73. He went out with an astonishing 40 on the front side, putting one in the drink on No. 4 for a double bogey. He cleaned it up a bit on the back side with three birdies, but finished the weekend a pedestrian 1-under.
Phil Mickelson started hot with two birdies in his first four holes, but gave it back on Nos. 7 and 9 to make the turn nine shots back of Na.
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