Fan entrance to the Players Championship on Saturday morning (local time) was delayed due to a fatal shooting outside TPC Sawgrass.
Lethal Ludvig seizes lead at TPC Sawgrass by ‘keeping it very simple’
The St Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported a man shot and killed two people in a Walgreens carpark near the tournament venue at 10:30pm Friday. The suspect then fled onto TPC Sawgrass property, where he encountered and spoke with PGA Tour employees and volunteers and at one point picked up a tour radio.
Sheriff Rob Hardwick said the suspect committed an additional burglary and auto theft while evading police, eventually heading north of town. The stolen vehicle was later found in Nassau County after a pursuit, and he was arrested Saturday morning.
Gates for the PLAYERS aren’t opening until 9AM this morning.
There is a suspected murderer who reportedly fled the scene of a shooting nearby and made his way onto the TPC Sawgrass grounds last night.
Absolutely insane. Story below via @wjxt4 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OfpZ6dSmSf
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) March 14, 2026
Though no one was hurt on tournament grounds, the PGA Tour delayed gate openings Saturday morning as it assessed the situation.
“Due to operational considerations, gates for today’s third round will now open at 9am,” the tour said in a statement. “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.”
Hospitality tents were delayed until 11am, but tee times for the third round are proceeding as scheduled.
