Justin Thomas showcased exceptional golfing prowess during the second round of the Players Championship on March 15, 2025, at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course (par 72) located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With remarkable skill, Thomas shot a 10-under-par 62, tying the course record previously established by Tom Hoge back in 2023.
Starting his round with birdies on the first two holes, Thomas maintained the momentum throughout his game. To his astonishment and delight, he tallied 11 birdies, marking one of the most impressive rounds of his career. Unfortunately, he encountered mishaps on the 18th hole where his second shot went astray and landed in the penalty area, resulting in a bogey. Despite this setback, his performance was strong enough to propel him from the lowly position of joint 134th after the first round to tied for 29th by the end of the second day, with a total score of 4-under-par 140 after two rounds.
Thomas expressed mixed feelings about his near-record-breaking performance afterward. "I didn’t know the course record was at stake; I just wanted to reduce my score. Missing the fairway was disappointing, but it didn’t ruin my great round today," he stated. With this turnaround performance, Thomas's spirit lifted considerably, as training and perseverance paid off tremendously.
Lim Seong-jae also made headlines, launching himself from the 100th place range after the first round to tying for 49th position with Ahn Byeong-hun after posting 6-under-par 66. His total score rests at 2-under-par 142, allowing him to advance to the final round. Lim displayed remarkable skill as he birdied seven times with just one bogey throughout his round.
Another noteworthy performance came from Kim Si-woo—winner of the Players Championship back in 2017. He recorded his second round at 3-under-par 141, tying him for 36th place. Meanwhile, Kim Joo-hyung, managing to qualify for the final round, found himself tied for 65th with 1-under-par 143.
Lee Min-woo of Australia was another standout competitor after achieving back-to-back strong rounds. With combined scores amounting to 11-under-par 133, he tied for the lead alongside Akshay Bhatia. This impressive performance signifies Min-woo’s pursuit of his first PGA Tour win. J.J. Spaun, situated just one stroke behind, sits at 3rd place with 10-under-par 134.
The highly competitive environment of the Players Championship was intensified with Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Alex Smalley all tying for 4th place at 9-under-par 135. Tension builds as these top-ranked players fight fiercely for victory.
Lee Kyung-hoon unfortunately could not make the cut, finishing at 4-over-par 148 and tying for 115th place. The threshold for making the cut stood at even par, 144, thereby dashing his hopes for the weekend.
With thrilling moments filled with triumph and disappointment, the Players Championship continues to deliver excitement. Fans await the outcomes as the tournament progresses, driven by players who are eager to assert themselves and claim victory.
Following Thomas's outstanding round, sports networks will be broadcasting the next rounds. Golf enthusiasts should tune in as they continue to cover this riveting tournament, emphasising this year’s Players Championship’s significance as often dubbed the ‘5th Major’ among golfing events worldwide.