Players Championship: Fatal shooting near TPC Sawgrass delays fan entry

A fatal shooting near TPC Sawgrass meant spectators were delayed entering the course before day three of the Players Championship.

St Johns County Sheriff’s Office said two people were shot and killed at 22:30 local time on Friday, less than a mile from the course in Florida.

The suspect, who has been named as Christian Barrios, fled on to the course before being arrested in Nassau County at about 08:00 on Saturday after a car chase, according to police.

Sheriff Robert Hardwick said Barrios “made contact” with employees at TPC Sawgrass during his attempted escape.

“He picked up – we believe it was a radio that belonged to the PGA Tour, not one of our radios and we know he dropped it after that. Our canines used it as a scent when they came in there,” Hardwick said.

Gates at Sawgrass were due to open for fans at 07:30 but entry was delayed until 09:00, with the PGA citing “operational considerations” as the reason for their decision.

Third-round play at the PGA Tour’s flagship event began on time.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg led the tournament after two rounds having shot a nine-under-par 63 on Friday.