The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass: TV schedule and start time for Round 3

It’s time for Johnny Miller to come out and play. Sure, the curmudgeonly NBC analyst has been on the mic for a few golf tournaments already this year, but The Players is now the network’s premier event and he’ll have his knives sharpened.

Fortunately for Miller, the TPC Sawgrass layout provides plenty of opportunities to pounce and critique. We’ve seen many players hit an array of horrible shots and promptly get punished for them. Miller is there every time to provide the soundtrack, whether it’s for a case of the “nerves,” dumb decision-making, or an ineffectual swing. No one launches more grenades on a golf telecast than Miller. With a little perspective and parody, he actually adds to broadcast and makes it much more funny than the alternative.

And he and his NBC colleagues will put out all the bells and whistles over the weekend given that this is now the biggest tournament the network has. NBC was the home of the U.S. Open, almost synonymous with the national championship for the past two decades. But the USGA, in a controversial and widely-panned decision, took the cash and ran to FOX, which is broadcasting golf for the first time ever.

NBC still holds the rights to the Ryder Cup, and has the FedExCup along with some bigger tournaments on the Florida swing. But in a non-Ryder Cup year, The Players is definitely their best opportunity at a nice golf rating. Miller and his longtime partner, Dan Hicks, will not come on the air until 2 p.m. ET for the third round broadcast. The coverage window will run until 7 p.m., or the conclusion of the round, which may come 15 to 30 minutes later.

Tiger Woods, who made the cut right on the number at even-par, will be out at 9:10 a.m. and should be finished well before the telecast goes live. Woods has had a shaky first two days, so Miller would definitely have some chances to land a few jabs if he we’re playing live during the TV coverage. Unless there is a delay though, he should be in the clubhouse by 1:30 or 1:45 p.m.

If you want to watch Tiger, however, you’ll still have that option before the TV coverage. PGATour.com will have a featured groups live stream up and running by 9 a.m. and as you might imagine, Tiger and Graham DeLaet are the main attraction on the morning side of the tee sheet. So you’ll be able to watch his every shot at that stream.

Here are all your media options for Saturday’s third round:

2 to 7 p.m. -- NBC

2 to 7 p.m. -- NBC Sports LiveExtra simulcast stream