Spaun clings to one-stroke Players lead

MIAMI — J.J. Spaun sank a dramatic 25-foot par putt at the 18th hole to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday's (Sunday in Manila) blustery third round of the PGA Players Championship.

The 34-year-old American, seeking his second PGA Tour triumph, battled through brutal winds to fire a two-under par 70 to stand on 12-under 204 after 54 holes at TPC Sawgrass.

"It was a definite grind today with these conditions around an already difficult course," Spaun said. "I knew I just didn't want to let my mental game get the best of me and I knew I had to stay patient.

"I knew I had to take my chances when they came and it paid off."

After sinking a 29-foot putt from off the green to birdie the par-5 16th, Spaun made bogey at the par-3 17th island hole and appeared set to close with back-to-back bogeys.

But his long par effort at the 18th rolled around the edge of the hole and fell in to leave him ahead of compatriot Bud Cauley.

"Huge," Spaun said. "It was a tough little wedge shot in there. I had a good line. All I had to do was get the speed right. Kind of hooked in there. It was nice."

Cauley, seeking his first PGA title, fired a 66 with seven birdies and an eagle to stand on 205.

"It was tough," Cauley said. "Seemed like every hole was a challenge with the wind and just trying to somehow get it on the fairway and get it on the green and roll in a putt."

Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, and fellow American Alex Smalley shared third on 207 with second-ranked Rory McIlroy, Canada's Corey Conners sixth and American Akshay Bhatia sharing fifth on 208.

"They slowed the greens down today for obvious reasons and I didn't adjust very well to that," McIlroy said. "I feel like every bogey was really soft. I could have shot something in the 60s.

"I have to at least be encouraged by how I hit it and how I controlled myself around there. I just need to chip and putt better tomorrow."