3 questions to be answered on Sunday at The Players
The table is set for an exciting final day at The Players Championship with a stacked leaderboard through three rounds. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are closely following leader Jon Rahm. Even Jason Day, who's three shots back, is within striking distance.
With a $2.25-million prize on the line at one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf, plus windy, rainy weather set to roll into TPC Sawgrass, anything can happen with only 18 holes remaining.
Here are three questions that will be answered on Sunday:
Will Rory conquer Sunday demons?
The best-case scenario unfolded for McIlroy heading into Sunday's round, as he's only one shot off the pace and won't be in the last group. Since 2016, he's played in 11 final groups - including in last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational - and only has one win to show for it.
McIlroy's worst finish of 2019 is a tie for sixth, even with his final-round scoring average ranking 115th on the PGA Tour. Last year, he wasn't much better, ranking 54th in Sunday scoring.
However, since he's not playing with the lead or alongside the player in first, McIlroy should be able to go into chase mode. He shouldn't be playing with a defensive mindset and worrying about making mistakes.
Even down one shot, Rory has to be considered the favorite on Sunday.
Will Rahm or Fleetwood claim marquee win?
Rahm and Fleetwood are putting together impressive resumes so far in their young careers. Rahm has notched two wins on the PGA Tour and three in Europe. Fleetwood, meanwhile, is still searching for his first victory in America, but he's recorded four Euro Tour triumphs.
They're both missing a marquee title, and that could change for one of them on Sunday.
Fleetwood typically plays one poor round per tournament, and if his 70 on Saturday was it, then he's in great shape to break through in a big way. He'll need to overcome Sunday jitters quickly and remain aggressive throughout the round. As soon as he lets off the gas, he's done.
For Rahm, trying to post a low number after shooting 64 is difficult, especially with the added pressure of playing in a final group as McIlroy tries to track him down from the pairing ahead. Both of Rahm's Tour wins have come while playing from behind, so it will be interesting to see how his game holds up as the front-runner.
Will someone steal The Players?
An eventual champion has come from outside the top seven heading into the final round to win The Players Championship just once (Rickie Fowler in 2015). That narrows down the pool of golfers who can storm from behind and win on Sunday, but it also means the feat isn't impossible.
Day is too close to the leaders to steal the trophy, but don't be surprised if he wins for the second time at TPC Sawgrass.
Dustin Johnson is the most likely candidate to post an early number and wait to be crowned the champion. He sits five shots behind Rahm and certainly possesses the firepower to shoot 64 or 65 and make the leaders sweat.
Adam Scott and Patrick Reed are six shots back, and the two former Masters champions are the only other players further behind who reasonably have a shot at posting the winning number.
It would take a near miracle for one of Justin Rose, Tony Finau, or Bryson DeChambeau to pull off an epic comeback. They're all among the top-10 players in the world, and at seven shots back would need chaos to unfold - perhaps at the island green on No. 17 - for the slimmest chance to win.