Overview

• Rory McIlroy sits two strokes off the lead at 9-under after a strong back-nine performance but struggled on the front nine, continuing a historical trend at TPC Sawgrass.
• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, at 5-under, expressed frustration over missed putting opportunities but remains optimistic about making a comeback in challenging conditions.
• Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia lead the tournament at 11-under, with Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood also in contention after impressive second rounds.
• Forecasted 30 mph winds and potential storms on Saturday and Sunday are expected to make the course significantly more difficult, creating opportunities for skilled shot-makers to excel.
• McIlroy, a past Players champion, expressed confidence in handling the tough conditions, emphasizing the importance of ball control and creativity in the wind.