The TPC Sawgrass golf course — home of the Players Championship — delayed its opening before the third round of the tournament on Saturday, March 14, after a suspected murderer was arrested nearby.
“Due to operational considerations, gates for today’s third round will now open at 9 a.m. ET,” a statement from the Players Championship read on Saturday. “Tee times will remain as previously scheduled, and all on-course hospitality venues will open at 11 a.m. ET.”
According to authorities, a manhunt near the course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, was underway late Friday night, March 13, after a fatal shooting in a nearby Walgreens parking lot.
The Associated Press reported that St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said the suspect, Christian Barrios, allegedly shot two people multiple times about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, about a mile from the course. Hardwick described the incident as a domestic violence situation.
The sheriff said units pursued the suspect onto the course after the shooting, and at one point Barrios allegedly picked up a PGA Tour radio then later dropped it. Barrios allegedly stole a black BMW, at which point authorities chased the car into the woods before forcing the vehicle to crash.
Barrios fled on foot before he was apprehended around 8 a.m. on Saturday, in Nassau County, Florida (about an hour north of the course), and taken into custody.
Hardwick said Barrios had a long criminal history and knew the victims, both of whom were shot multiple times and taken to a hospital, where they later died.
The tournament started on schedule at 8:15 a.m., but fans were not allowed onto the course until 9 a.m.
“We have worked closely with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and appreciate the coordination and partnership from Sheriff Rob Hardwick and his team,” the PGA Tour said in a Saturday statement. “Please note, tee times will remain as previously scheduled, and all on-course hospitality venues will open at 11 a.m. ET. (3 p.m. GMT).”
Swedish golfer Ludvig Aberg currently sits atop the leaderboard at 12-under-par as the tournament continues into the weekend. Americans Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young and Justin Thomas are in second, third and fourth place, respectively.
Rory McIlroy — who had to withdraw from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back injury — narrowly made the cut after Friday’s round.
“It would have sucked to be going home this afternoon,” McIlroy said. “So to hang around and hopefully play two more days, that’s a win.”
The tournament concludes on Sunday, March 15.
