Follow along for live updates from day two at TPC Sawgrass where we have a stacked Players Championship leaderboard featuring the likes of Wyndham Clark, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.
Clark backed up his strong start on Thursday with another seven-under 65 for his second round to rush out to a big lead. Scheffler stayed steady and is five shots back while battling a neck injury that saw him require multiple treatments throughout his round.
Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele are chasing after teeing off in the afternoon.
Players Championship Leaderboard:
- -14 Wyndham Clark (65)
- -10 Xander Schauffele (69)
- -9 Matt Fitzpatrick (69)
- -9 Maverick McNealy (68)
- -9 Nick Taylor
- -8 Matti Schmid (68)
- -8 Scottie Scheffler (69)
- -8 Corey Conners (68)
- -8 Tom Hoge (69)
- -7 JT Poston (68)
- -7 Sahith Theegala (67)
- -7 Brian Harman (65)
- -6 Hideki Matsuyama (69)
- -6 Harris English (69)
- -6 Chris Kirk (70)
- -6 Taylor Montgomery (70)
- -6 Jason Day (71)
- -6 Rory McIlroy (73)
- -6 Nate Lashley
- -6 CT Pan
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Welcome along for our day two coverage from TPC Sawgrass, where we're set for a big day in Florida. Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler can set the pace this morning, while Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele headline the afternoon starters to set up what looks to be an excellent weekend.
We've got a stacked leaderboard as well as plenty of big names in and around the cut line, which will come at the end of the day.
Follow along all day to keep up with the latest scores, best shots and all the updates from the Players Championship.
SCHEFFLER TO -7 BUT HE'S IN A BIT OF PAIN
The World No.1 has just birdied the par 3 13th, his 4th of the day, to get to seven-under. However, he's got some neck pain, and he's actually currently sat down on a chair on the 14th tee receiving some treatment.
Scottie rubbing his neck on No. 12 and talking to a rules official about treatment options. Overheard him asking if someone could bring him some Biofreeze. Seems to be dealing with discomfort in his neck. Also one off the lead.March 15, 2024
SCHEFFLER STILL GETTING TREATMENT
Justin Thomas has hit off and is walking up the hole but the World No.1 is still receiving some physio here. Worrying signs, although hopefully it's just precautionary.
Concern for Scottie? 🫣Scottie Scheffler is sitting in a chair and receiving treatment on his left arm next to the 14th. pic.twitter.com/xxWlltwONHMarch 15, 2024
HE'S BACK
After a good 5 minutes of treatment, Scheffler stripes his drive up the fairway on the 14th.
RED-HOT IRONS
There have been a number of beautiful approach shots so far this morning. Brian Harman's drawn tee shot into the par-3 13th, and now Scheffler's sweeping low approach on 14 set up a birdie apiece for the Ryder Cup pair.
POSTON SCARES THE EDGE
JT Poston is only two back from the leaders, but he could have halved the deficit if his long-range birdie effort there was an inch or two to the left. No cigar, however, and The Postman will continue trying to deliver a few more birdie chances.
A PLAYERS MILESTONE
Beau Hossler becomes 'Mr 1,000' after sending his tee shot into the drink at the 17th. It bounced on dry land but had no chance of stopping.
A milestone 1,000th official splash on @THEPLAYERS iconic hole 17. 🌊 pic.twitter.com/T5sdmOCwz5March 15, 2024
SCHEFFLER ROLLS ON
The birdie attempt was wide right, but not by much. It's a par for Scheffler, who seems comfortable enough after that neck/upper back massage.
MATTI SCHMID INTO TIE FOR SECOND
A lovely winding putt from left to right just about drops into the right side of the hole on nine for birdie. The German is right alongside Scheffler, McIlroy, and Schauffele now. Esteemed company, indeed.
SCHEFFLER INTO THE LEFT TREES
Scheffler emerges from behind the sponsor board on the 15th tee box - having possibly just gained some more treatment - but pulls his drive left into the trees. It shouldn't be too far back, but it could be a case of chopping out.
HOW IS YOUR LUCK?
Scheffler slings a low draw out of the pine straw which heads towards the green. On its route, it takes a friendly bounce along a shoulder of grass between fairway and bunker and skips into the runoff to the right of the green.
Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler whips a beauty of a wedge shot a matter of feet away from the hole from the fairway. Justin Thomas manages to leave himself something realistic for birdie as well out of the long bunker to the right of the 15th fairway.
PUTTING WOES
This group is not having a good time with the flat stick at the moment. Thomas comes up agonisingly short with his birdie attempt while Fowler sees his birdie effort zip around the edge and stay out. Scheffler, meanwhile, pushes his eight-foot par putt wide right again.
MR 1,000
Here is footage of Hossler popping his first tee shot on 17 into the soup. Meanwhile, Chris Kirk has reportedly played this hole 40 times without getting wet. Equally as astounding, I would say, if not more so.
Beau Hossler's tee shot found the water on No. 17. It was the 1000th water ball at the Island Green @THEPLAYERS on record. pic.twitter.com/l1JDcUGY1rMarch 15, 2024
CLARK DROPS A SHOT
The reigning US Open champion gets himself in trouble on the fifth and ends up burning the edge with a long-range par attempt. There are now a group of six on -7 at the top.
ROUGH RIDE FOR FEATURED GROUP
Fowler and Thomas are forced to hack out after finding the right rough with their drive on the par-5 16th. Scheffler lands it down the runway but ends up marginally pulling his iron approach.
The Scheffler Shuffle is evolving. (He found the fairway.) pic.twitter.com/QjtmuTi1YfMarch 15, 2024
MARQUEE GROUP GRINDING
Thomas recovers from a pretty poor approach shot with his wedge by popping a small bump-and-run shot towards the hole. That's a few feet away for par. And made.
Fowler rolls a putt home from just off the green, so he's back to +1. The cut line could well be level or even +1 with the wind today.
Scheffler follows Fowler in for birdie from around six feet. He moves back into a tie for the lead on -7.
RICKIE ON A RUN
Fowler slams his tee shot on 17 to within a few feet of the back left pin. That's a great look for birdie.
Scheffler is also dry but faces a likely two putt from, let's say 20 feet with some notable movement involved. Thomas is marginally closer at around 15 feet and a much straighter attempt.
BIRDIES FOR JT AND RICKIE
Oh so close for Scottie, but it is a two putt down the hill as it grazes the left edge.
Fowler and Thomas pick up a shot, though, both gently rolling their birdie chances in. A very successful trip to 17 for that trio.
FITZPATRICK HOLDS SOLO LEAD
No Englishman has ever won The Players. Matt Fitzpatrick is putting himself in a great position to change that, however. He birdies 18 - his ninth - to make the turn at -3 for the day and -8 for the tournament.
KIRK UP TO -7
Chris Kirk joins the party at -7 courtesy of a birdie on the seventh as Thomas drops another shot on 18. No such trouble for Scheffler, though, as he two putts from range to stay T2. Fowler remains even.
HARMAN HUNTING
The Open champion is on the prowl at TPC Sawgrass. He's fired himself up to -5 as that trusty putter of his begins to heat up big time.
From waaaaay downtown!Brian Harman sinks the eagle putt from 45 feet. pic.twitter.com/NJluazgYxiMarch 15, 2024
SCHEFFLER STILL RECEIVING TREATMENT
Thomas set up for a big left-to-right slider, but sort of forgot to add in the right part on his drive at hole number one. His second shot will be from among the trees and pine straw.
Scheffler - who is still receiving treatment for that neck/shoulder issue - pushes his drive a little out to the right after Fowler absolutely hammers one down the middle. It was Scheffler's honor on that hole, but some good sportsmanship meant that the order was reshuffled slightly to allow Scheffler to undergo a little more work.
SCHMID AND KIRK IN TROUBLE
Matti Schmid doesn't quite nail one out of the screws on the par-3 13th and is facing an extremely tough up and down out of the short-left rough. Meanwhile, Kirk has a long par putt to make after hacking out of a plugged bunker on the par-3 eighth.
A TALE OF TWO RECOVERIES
Scheffler finds the green and leaves himself a loooong birdie putt after digging his drive out of the rough - that's a great recovery from where he was.
Meanwhile, Thomas opts to take a free drop off the cart path after briefly considering scratching up his wedge on the concrete. He dinks a wedge out onto the fairway and sends his third shot to the back of the green. That's no easy par putt either.
FITZPATRICK UP TO -9
Despite Clark and Poston temporarily pulling alongside at -8, Fitzpatrick almost drains it for eagle on the second (his 11th). A birdie will do, though. The Englishman is back on top.
(NEAR) MAGIC FROM SAHITH
I'm sat here with my hands on my head! That was almost extraordinary from Theegala at the 17th. He sent his tee shot off the back and along the path, and it came to rest just into the thin collar of rough protecting the left edge of the path.
With no kind of room to work with, he set the ball back in his stance and flicked a chip shot onto the green, rolling towards the hole. It came within the width of a worm of going in. That would have been shot of the week had that dropped. But he'll take a par, I'm sure.
WYNDHAM CLARK MOVING TO THE TOP
Elliott Heath taking over for the next 90-or-so minutes.
US Open champ Wyndham Clark has just stuffed it in close at the 1st and is going to join Fitzpatrick at nine-under.
Scheffler looks on the way to eight-under, too, after finding the par 5 2nd green in two blows.
FITZ ON A TEAR
The Englishman holes from 21ft on the par 3 3rd to move to 10-under-par!
Fitz is now four-under for the day after four birdies in six holes.
CUT WATCH
The cut is currently -1, meaning players at level par and worse are heading home.
Some big names are currently outside of it:
- Rickie Fowler E
- Patrick Cantlay E (not started R2 yet)
- Viktor Hovland +1 (not started R2 yet)
- Justin Thomas +1
- Jordan Spieth +2 (not started R2 yet)
SCHEFFLER WITH ANOTHER BIRDIE
The World No.2 has moved up to eight-under after the easiest of birdies at the par 5 2nd. He found the green in two and had a simple two-putt.
HOW FITZPATRICK REACHED 10-UNDER
His 21ft birdie putt at the 3rd:
Matt Fitzpatrick becomes the first man to reach 10-under at The Players 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/ddlOL8epIGMarch 15, 2024
THOMAS HITS A BEAUTY INTO THE 3RD
JT has just hit a lovely iron shot into the 3rd to 5ft.
It's must-make time now for the American who currently needs two birdies to get inside the cut line. It may fall back to level par, though, but either way this one needs to go in.
FITZPATRICK IN THE WATER AT 4
"Oh you idiot," he said as his ball was in the air.
Fitz's drive found the thick left rough and he tried to go for the green - but came up well short into the water. Staring at a bogey at best now.
SCHEFFLER IS NOW YOUR CO-LEADER
The World No.1 has just chipped in on the par 3 3rd hole. He's so good.
Scottie moves up to nine-under and, unless Fitzpatrick can hole a wedge shot, he's going to join the lead at nine-under.
WYNDHAM CLARK MOVES TO 10-UNDER
The US Open champion has birdied the par 5 2nd to get to 10-under. He'll have the solo lead now.
And Justin Thomas misses from 5ft at the 3rd to stay at +1 and in big danger of missing the cut. Lots happening here!
DOUBLE FOR FITZPATRICK
He hits a lovely pitch from 75 yards after dropping from the water but his 7-footer lips out and it's a double bogey six. Ouch.
JT POSTON TO NINE
The American has just birdied the short par 4 12th hole and he's now up to nine-under.
He has six birdies and six pars thru 12. Nicely done.
CLARK IN TIGHT ON 3
The American has hit a lovely iron shot into the par 3 3rd and will have 11ft to reach 11-under-par. He's looking very good.
WOW, JUSTIN THOMAS TAKE A BOW
From the same area that Fitzpatrick dumped his approach into the water on 4, Thomas manages to just carry it onto the green and it rolls all the way down and left towards the hole. That looks like it's going to be a much-needed birdie.
SCHEFFLER'S CHIP-IN TO REACH NINE-UNDER
A chip-in from the defending champ 💪Scottie Scheffler is just one shot off the lead @THEPLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/PEy7hOytnVMarch 15, 2024
MATTI SCHMID TO NINE!
The former Open silver medallist has just rolled in an eagle putt at the 16th to jump to nine-under-par.
CLARK EXTENDS LEAD
He holes from 11ft on the short 3rd and he's now 11-under-par.
RORY HAS SOME WORK TO DO
McIlroy was three clear of the lead early in his round yesterday but looks like he'll start round two perhaps four, or maybe even five, behind the lead.
Going to need to go low again today. He's off in around 1hr 20mins.
BIG PUTT FOR JT...AND IT MISSES
No! Thomas pulls it left from short range on the 4th and that's his second consecutive short birdie miss.
He's still one-over and in desperate need of some birdies to make the weekend.
SCHMID'S EAGLE PUTT AT 16 TO REACH NINE-UNDER
Pouring it in for eagle 🦅@Matt_9977 | @THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/wberCen60fMarch 15, 2024
OH MY!
Justin Thomas has just missed his follow-up and he's three-putted from about 4ft.
That's a shocker and it's going to signal the end of his Players Championship, unless he can somehow make at least two birdies in his last five holes.
He's +2, and the cut is currently -1.
WYNDHAM CLARK TO 12!
He's just made his fourth consecutive birdie at the 4th hole after hitting it it to 4ft (lots of fours there) and the US Open champion is now 12-under-par.
This is some showing!
MATTI SCHIMD TO 10!
The German has just gone eagle-birdie through the 16th and 17th and is now up to 2nd on his own.
The World No.140 is yet to win as a pro after two runners-up finishes on the DP World Tour.
He's having some week here at TPC Sawgrass.
Rickie Fowler, meanwhile, has just rolled in a long putt at the 5th to get to one-under-par and, crucially, inside the cut line.
MCILROY AND SCHAUFFELE NOW FIVE BACK
The early pace-setters with their 65s will be starting their second rounds five strokes back as things stand. They better get a move on!
Scoring is low at TPC Sawgrass with little wind and soft conditions.
SCHEFFLER LOOKS OUT OF SORTS
It's incredible to say that the World No.1 looks out of sorts and is nine-under-par. He simply is that good.
He's struggling with his neck and has just hit a very poor wedge shot on the 6th that came up short, right and spun off I believe. He also missed the 3rd green, where he chipped in for birdie!
SCHEFFLER BOGEY
He fails to get up-and-down on the sixth. Very poor bogey there considering he had just 113 yards in from the fairway. Back to eight-under.
JT BIRDIE
A much-needed birdie for Justin Thomas at the 6th to get back to +1 and two outside of the cut mark. Still needs more though.
Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark has just made a 22-footer on the 5th for par to stay 12-under! And Matti Schmid has made double on the 18th to finish at eight-under. Nightmare.
WYNDHAM CLARK'S HUGE PAR SAVE AT 5
.@Wyndham_Clark is a MACHINE. A clutch par save to maintain a two-shot lead. pic.twitter.com/n5kAshZMTFMarch 15, 2024
SIGNING OUT
Joel Kulasingham will be providing the updates for the rest of the day with Rory McIlroy teeing off in just over 30 minutes' time.
CLARK BIRDIES AGAIN!
Hello everyone. Joel here to take you through to the end of the day.
How good has Wyndham Clark been? Jon Rahm has left a gaping hole on tour - and in this tournament - but Clark has certainly raised his hand to take up the baton. He seems like a good dude and has a nice story - and he's an absolute baller.
Oh and he's just sunk his seventh birdie of the day on the sixth - a solid approach left about 18 feet for birdie and he nailed it centre cup. He has a five shot lead.
XANDER AND RORY TEEING OFF SOON
Xander Schauffele will tee off in about 15 minutes, while Rory McIlroy will be 10 minutes after. If anyone can get it going to catch Clark it'll be these two. A few other notable names are also still to tee off, including Ludvig Aberg, Nick Taylor, Jason Day and course record holder Tom Hoge.
On the 8th, Scheffler still looks uncomfortable but has produced a gorgeous bunker shot to set up a makeable par save.
CLARK PARS
A nice lag putt on a 24-footer for birdie, and it's an easy tap-in par for Clark on the 7th.
Meanwhile, Scheffler pars the 8th and has a couple more swings before he gets a well-earned massage. Harris English has just gone birdie-birdie on 15 and 16 to move to -7.
FITZPATRICK FINISHES WITH A BIRD
Nice finish for Fitzpatrick as he birdies the 9th to post 69, moving to solo second at -9. A pretty solid round aside from a bogey on 13 and a double on 4 after finding the water.
ONE HOLE TO GO FOR CLARK
Clark pars the 8th, and has the par-5 9th to go - he has nailed his tee shot and will have a solid birdie chance on his last hole of the day.
Jason Day has kicked off his round with a birdie on the 1st. At the other end of the course, Hideki Matsuyama has finished his round with a birdie to move to -6 after a three-under 69.
SCHEFFLER ENDS ON -8
A decent birdie chance on the 9th for Scheffler, but he can't get it to drop. That's a solid 69 on what you'd probably call a below average day for the World No.1. He'll get some treatment on his neck and should be back contending tomorrow.
RORY AND XANDER ARE OFF
McIlroy misses the fairway right on his first shot of the day, while Schauffele starts his round with a par.
On the 9th, Clark gives himself a nice birdie chance from just under 100 yards after choosing to lay up on the par 5. He'll have 9 feet to end a great day with another bird.
CLARK CLOSES WITH A BIRDIE!
Clark never looked like missing that birdie putt - centre cup yet again for the best putter in the field so far in the tournament. (He's +7 strokes gained putting!) So back-to-back 65s for the American and he's now five shots ahead once again at -14.
On the 1st, McIlroy goes from deep rough to bunker. Tricky up and down left to avoid an opening bogey.
MCILROY OPENS WITH A BOGEY
Not how you want to start a round - but it could've been worse. McIlroy left himself 35 feet for par, and hammered it seven feet past, but manages to clutch up to save bogey.
Elsewhere, Jason Day has gone birdie-birdie to start his round and is up to -7. Sahith Theegala has birdied 8 to also move to -7 with one hole to go in his round.
HARMAN TIES CLARK FOR BEST OF THE DAY
Brian Harman has got himself back in contention with a seven-under 65 after an even-par opening round. He had eight birdies, an eagle and three bogeys for an excellent round.
JT Poston is also done for the day and joins Harman on -7 after a solid 68.
THE MAN TO BEAT
Clark's 14-under 130 is his best career 36-hole score. The US Open champ is coming off a second-place finish at Bay Hill last week and has already won at Pebble Beach this year.
A blistering final nine to solidify a 5-shot lead 🔥At 14-under, @Wyndham_Clark cards his lowest career 36-hole score. pic.twitter.com/aPlMtNrWNuMarch 15, 2024
SCHAUFFELE BIRDIES NO.2
Schauffele moves to -8 with a nice birdie at 2.
Shortly after, McIlroy is on the green in two shots and gives his long eagle putt a good go, but it has a bit too much speed. He sinks the birdie to move back to -7.
EAGLE FOR MCNEALY, FROG FOR RORY
Maverick McNealy joins Fitzpatrick on -9 after an eagle on the 16th. He hit a beauty from 224 yards to within 20 feet, and nailed his eagle putt.
McIlory is back in trouble on the par-3 3rd - he's in the deep rough after a poor tee shot and now is being harassed by an actual frog that was hiding in the grass.
IS RORY SCARED OF FROGS?
After a couple of drop ruling delays on day one, McIlroy's second round is interrupted by a frog delay. The frog, chilling in the deep rough, managed to distract - and even scare - Rory as he attempted a tricky green-side chip - and he couldn't recover as he toadally (sorry) sent his chip way over the green. Frog 1, Rory 0.
McIlroy manages to get up and down after that, but it's another bogey for the Northern Irishman as he drops to -6.
FROG FOOTAGE:
This frog wanted a front row seat to @McIlroyRory's chip. pic.twitter.com/5ur5VMdBTnMarch 15, 2024
HARD TO DISAGREE
Is this already the tournament of the year so far? Golf writer Kyle Porter thinks so:
Even if they ended it right now — after a just over one round — this would pretty easily be the tournament of the year so far.March 15, 2024
BOGEY-BIRDIE-BOGEY-BIRDIE
A truly up-and-down start for McIlroy but he is back to -7 after four holes. He absolutely flushed a wedge from 100 yards to within 2 feet for a tap-in bird on No.4 - and he's back to where he started.
Schauffele is a shot ahead after his first four holes, and is still yet to make a bogey for the tournament.
CUT WATCH
The projected cut-line is -1, so there are a few big names who will need some birdies to make the weekend, including Tommy Fleetwood (E), Viktor Hovland (E), Keegan Bradley (E) and Jordan Spieth (+2).
Others like Will Zalatoris (+4) and Justin Thomas (+1) have finished their second rounds and will miss the cut.
MCNEALY ENDS ON -9
A good couple of days for Maverick McNealy as he posts a four-under 68 for his second round to finish in a tie for second - alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.
On the 6th, Jason Day sinks his third birdie of the day to move to -8.
ANOTHER BIRD FOR RORY
Still no pars on the card for McIlroy today but he's now under-par for his second round. He continues his form on the greens and nails a 20-foot birdie putt to move to -8. He is second in SG putting so far in this tournament, behind Clark, of course.
NEAR ALBATROSS!
Brandon Wu almost made an albatross on 16. He's doing his best to make the weekend after an opening round 75. He's currently three-under after eight holes on day two and even par for the tournament.
Inches from an albatross! @BWu97 nearly dunks it on the par-5 16th 😳 pic.twitter.com/bqQyI8UhbzMarch 15, 2024
RORY BACK TO -7
McIlroy can't seem to settle down and has made yet another bogey on 6. A really poor shot from the middle of the fairway to miss in the left bunker and couldn't get up and down. Three birdies, three bogeys and no pars so far.
Elsewhere, Taylor Montgomery is three under after nine on -7, while Taylor Moore has started his round with four birdies in a row to move to -4.
WHAT A PAR!
McIlroy just produced one of the shots of the day from the pine needles. He had to go low because of the trees, had a massive bunker between him and the green, but still managed to get on the green with a crazy punch shot that somehow used the bunker as a ramp to climb onto the putting surface.
That's the type of shot you would see a YouTube golfer attempt - and miss. Incredible. He managed to two-putt for his first par of the day.
Watch it below:
What a recovery shot from @McIlroyRory 👏Rory cards the first par of his second round at No. 7. pic.twitter.com/eyvodWr6zxMarch 15, 2024
TAYLOR MOVES TO -8
Nick Taylor has made three birdies in a row on 4, 5 and 6, just after making bogey on 3. He moves to -8, still six back of Clark.
McIlroy gets another par on 8.
CUT CHECK IN
The projected cut-line remains at -1.
Here are the players on E (with holes remaining): Aaron Rai, Sam Burns, Steve Stricker, David Lipsky, Justin Lower, Ryo Hisatsune.
And +1: Min Woo Lee, Jordan Spieth, Lucas Glover.
MCILROY BACK UNDER PAR ON THE TURN
It's been a grind but McIlroy is under par after nine holes. He converts another long birdie putt to move back to -8. Still six shots behind Clark though.
SCHAUFFELE TIED FOR SECOND
Schauffele starts his second nine with a birdie, his second of the day. A nice approach from the bunker and a straightforward putt from six feet.
He's playing some solid golf - with no bogeys yet in the tournament - and is now five behind Clark at -9, alongside Fitzpatrick and McNealy.
SCHAUFFELE FINDS THE WATER
Schauffele makes his first big mistake of the tournament, and finds the water on the par-5 11th. He had 260 yards to the pin on his second, but lost his shot right into the pond - not sure whether he was attempting to go for the green.
Back on 10, McIlroy made a par to start his back nine.
DOUBLE FOR XANDER
Schauffele falls back to -7 after a costly double bogey on 11. He found the water and couldn't quite recover from his poor approach after his drop. He went from 28 holes without a bogey to a double, such is golf.
A bit after, McIlroy almost finds the water himself but it hangs on in the bunker. Clark's lead is looking pretty good right now.
MCILROY MISSES A GOOD BIRDIE CHANCE
Despite finding the bunker on his second shot on 11, McIlroy still managed to give himself a nice birdie chance from about 13 feet. But he couldn't get it to go as he swings his putter in frustration.
He's struggling with a hook today, which was seen when he opted not to play his draw - usually his strength - on his second from the middle of the fairway. He ended up fading it a bit too much into the bunker. Not his day, but he's hanging in there.
BOUNCE BACK BIRDIE
Schauffele doesn't let the double affect him as he bounces right back with a birdie on the short par-4 12th. He absolutely bombed a drive a few yards short of the green and nailed his 30-yard pitch to within four feet for a nice birdie. He's back to -8.
Back on the 12th tee, McIlroy hooks his drive way left yet again and he might be in the water.
On the 18th, Adam Hadwin - who hilariously blew up yesterday when he found the water on the same hole before tossing his club into the pond - is in the drink again. "Just can't get away from it," he says, hanging on to his club this time.
RORY BOGEYS, XANDER CAN'T CONVERT
McIlroy did find the water with his drive but he recovered after taking a drop (no debates this time) and he left himself with 11 feet for par. But he can't get it to drop and falls back to -7.
Schauffele gave himself another good birdie chance on 13 but it lips out.
WEBB ON THE MIC:
What is @WebbSimpson1 saying to his wedge? pic.twitter.com/F2Z7yCnHgSMarch 15, 2024
TAYLOR MOVES TO -9
Nick Taylor is tied for second at -9 after a birdie on 11. He rolled in a 19-footer to move to within five of Clark.
Tom Hoge has put together three birdies in a row to move to -7. He's had four birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double after 13 holes today.
RORY BACK TO UNDER PAR
McIlroy is still fighting out there. A nice tee shot on the par-3 13th and rolls in a 16-footer nicely. However, he's immediately lost his drive on 14 left again into the bunker.
BIG NAMES FIGHT TO MAKE THE CUT
Rickie Fowler was one of the biggest movers today, gaining 53 places after a three-under 68 to follow his 74 on day one. He's on -1 and has done enough to make the weekend on the cut-line.
They've still got work to do but Viktor Hovland and Min Woo Lee are both working on two-under par rounds to sit on -1 for the tournament, while Patrick Cantlay is also safe at the moment on -2.
CLARK'S HISTORIC ROUNDS:
Wyndham Clark hit 15+ greens in regulation and gained 3 or more strokes putting in each of the first 2 rounds this week.In the ShotLink era (since '03), not only is Clark the only player to do that in consecutive rounds at TPC Sawgrass, only 1 other player (Sergio Garcia) has…March 15, 2024
HOGE HAVING A NICE BACK 9
Tom Hoge, the course record holder at TPC Sawgrass, has four birdies in six holes on his back nine to move to -8. A lot better after an up-and-down first nine, including a birdie, an eagle, two bogeys and a double.
RORY DOUBLE BOGEYS 14
McIlroy has his worst hole of the day, double bogeying 14 to fall to -6. He lost his drive left into the bunker, forcing him to lay up on the par 4. He then only managed to get to 45 feet and three-putted for a double.
DAY IN THE DRINK
Jason Day went 34 holes without a bogey, but has just found the water on the 17th and will drop at least one shot. It's the first time he's hit into the water in his last 20 tournaments.
DOUBLE FOR DAY
Jason Day's first mistake of the week is a costly one as he double bogeys the 17th. Just a poor tee shot and couldn't get it up and down from the drop zone.
McIlroy continues his hook miss on 16 - looks like he'll be in the trees.
XANDER MAKES HIS MOVE
Big putt for Schauffele as he moves to within four shots of Clark at -10. He played the par-5 16th perfectly - a beautiful 330-yard drive down the fairway, a superb approach into the green to within 10 feet, and a confident putt for an eagle. Two more holes to make up more ground.
LET HIM COOK:
Min Woo Lee from 60 feet ...The second longest putt made on No. 17 since 2003 💪 pic.twitter.com/YNsSAYz4MaMarch 15, 2024
TAYLOR FALLS BACK TO -8
Nick Taylor almost finds the water with his tee shot on 14 but is forced to pitch out into the fairway anyway. He gave himself a decent par chance but couldn't convert. He's back to -8.
CLARK PAYS TRIBUTE TO SCHEFFLER
Wyndham Clark credits Scottie Scheffler for pushing him to get better.
“I have so much respect for Scottie and his game and consistency and he really is kind of the meter right now of where you want to try to be," Clark said after his brilliant second round.
“I think the best thing about Scottie is his consistency. That's something that last year - I mean, I was very consistent in making cuts and kind of always being in the top 20 and then I won a few times, but Scottie's always in contention. He's pushed me to be better and it's fun to watch him and so I'm really trying to catch him. I really owe a lot to him to some of my good golf of late.”
Read more from Clark's post-round interview here.
TAYLOR BACK TO -9
A nice response from Taylor after a bogey. He hit a beauty from 136 yards to within four feet for an easy bird.
On the 17th, McIlroy sticks it close to leave a 10-footer for birdie. Jason Day has finished his round with a par to stay on -6.
RORY CAN'T GET IT TO DROP
McIlroy can't convert his birdie putt on 17 to remain at -6. A frustrating day for the World No.2.
SCHAUFFELE FINISHES ON -10
Schauffele has done his best to stay with Clark. He ends with a par to post a three-under 69 for his second round to go into the weekend on -10, four shots behind the lead.
His playing partner Sam Burns manages to make the cut right on the number at -1.
TAYLOR'S NOT DONE
Taylor sinks a nice birdie on 16 to join Schauffele on -10, with a couple holes to play.
On the 18th, McIlroy finishes with a par to card a disappointing one-over 73. His playing partner Jordan Spieth will miss the cut at +2, while Viktor Hovland did it enough to make the weekend at -2 with a three-under 69 for his second round.
