Ludvig Aberg of Sweden maintains a commanding three-shot advantage over the field as the final round of the Players Championship begins at TPC Sawgrass. The 26-year-old Swede shot a one-under-par 71 on Saturday, building on his earlier 63 in round two to reach 13 under par overall. While Aberg navigated the famed course serenely, his closest pursuers struggled.

Playing partner Xander Schauffele, a two-time major champion, drove the ball well but was wayward with his second shots, posting a two-over 74 that left him five strokes off the pace. Meanwhile, unheralded 24-year-old American Michael Thorbjornsen posted a 67 to surge into second place on 10 under par, leapfrogging Cameron Young, who dropped two shots on the final hole after starting the day on nine under. England's Matt Fitzpatrick also faltered on the closing holes, finishing with a 69 to slip to joint fourth on eight under after a double-bogey.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre posted the day's lowest score with a seven-under 65, featuring nine birdies, but is considered too far back to challenge Aberg's lead.