Rory McIlroy gets reprieve at Players Championship as Piercy crumbles

The most bizarre of tournaments continues to deliver madcap moments. As debate rages about the fairness or otherwise of the 17th at Sawgrass, it seems safe to assume Rory McIlroy will sing the hole’s praises.

McIlroy was homeward bound on account of what would have been a sixth missed cut in a dozen Players Championship starts when Peter Malnati, having thinned his approach shot, miraculously saved par at the 18th. Those at plus two, including McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, were out.

Enter Scott Piercy. At two under par striding towards the 17th tee, Piercy did not form part of any cut conversation. How that was to change; two balls fired into the pond contributed to a quadruple bogey seven, bringing McIlroy and co to the magical position of tied 65th. Piercy bogeyed the last for good measure. McIlroy, who produced back-to-back 73s from what was unquestionably the tougher side of the draw in this disrupted event, has been afforded a further two rounds to at least ramp up preparations for next month’s Masters.

With a Monday evening finish certain after inclement weather seriously delayed play on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the leading players were not able to complete their third rounds on Sunday. The Irishman Séamus Power summed up the messy scene. “We played a hole and a half on Thursday, 12 holes on Friday and then 20 on Saturday,” he said.

After 36 holes, Sam Burns and Tom Hoge shared the lead at seven under par. Harold Varner joined Erik van Rooyen at minus six, one clear of a sextet that included Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey.

“I know I got the lucky side of the draw,” Casey admitted. “I’m very aware of that and it’s been interesting watching the guys battle on the other side. I believe in the golfing gods and