Canada's Pendrith tied for 3rd at Players Championship as play suspended due to darkness

Chad Ramey managed to avoid stress and bogeys Thursday in The Players Championship for an eight-under 64, making him an unlikely leader on a TPC Sawgrass course that rarely fails to deliver a surprise.

Ramey had a one-shot lead over two-time major champion Collin Morikawa in mild conditions, while Canada's Taylor Pendrith was in a three-way tie sitting three shots back of the lead. Roughly half the field was at par or better.

That doesn't mean it was devoid of drama.

Aaron Wise lost four balls in a span of two holes — in the water on the 17th, and then three straight tee shots in the drink left of the 18th fairway, where he closed with a 10, one short of the record for highest score on the closing hole.

Rory McIlroy had his highest score in just over a year. The 2019 Players champion opened with a six, closed with a six and was pretty ordinary in between on his way to a 76.

Ramey had no such problems, putting for birdie on all but two holes during the slightly more peaceful morning conditions.

"I might have made it look that way but it wasn't easy at all," Ramey said. "It was fun. First time to shoot a score on such an iconic course like this. You can't ask for any more."

What a shot