PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Players Championship is heating up as Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia enter the weekend tied for the lead after solid second-round performances at TPC Sawgrass on March 14, 2025. Both players caught the spotlight with 66s on the day, putting them at 11-under 133, setting the stage for what could be an exciting finish.
Min Woo Lee, known for his impressive driving distance, relied heavily on his 2-iron during the tournament. He has historically used this specific club on as many as seven tee shots at Sawgrass, providing him comfort and consistency on the course. After a six-under 66 on Friday, Lee mentioned, “I’m using 2-iron a lot and it’s pretty good weapon of mine,” indicating its importance to his strategy at TPC Sawgrass.
On the other hand, Akshay Bhatia, the youngest leader ever at The Players Championship at 23, demonstrated his creativity on the ninth hole. After hitting trouble with the trees, he managed to play effectively with his wedge, setting up for birdie, which helped him maintain his position at the top beside Lee.
Despite Lee's solid performance, he faced challenges, especially on the par-5 ninth where he made bogey. Nevertheless, this did not overshadow his earlier success on the front nine, where he logged four birdies over five holes, showcasing his remarkable skill.
Meanwhile, Justin Thomas created quite the buzz after he tied the tournament record with a blazing 10-under 62 on the same day. His sensational round came after he struggled with a 78 on Thursday, leaving him tied for 134th at one point earlier. Thomas’s ability to recover dramatically emphasizes the unpredictable nature of golf, as he reflected, “Everything seems to happen in mysterious and weird ways.”
Conditions at TPC Sawgrass are expected to be challenging with strong winds projected for the weekend, possibly adding drama to the round. With gusts reaching 30 mph, players are preparing for the unpredictable challenges the weather may pose. Rory McIlroy, who finished the day with a 68, acknowledged the importance of hitting fairways, saying, “I think I hit more fairways in six holes today than I did in 18 yesterday.” His strong start faded as he struggled with the tricky stretch on the course, putting him two shots behind.
Collin Morikawa also kept contention with his 65, citing his plan to maximize opportunities with good shots. He noted, “I can’t say I drove it great and hit the ball amazing, but I really just took advantage of when I did hit good shots.” Bhatia, Lee, and Morikawa are headlining the leaderboard, demonstrating the excitement and intensity of the competition at the Players Championship.
Behind them lies J.J. Spaun, who recorded a solid 68 and stands just one shot back, showcasing how tightly contested the championship is. The cut this year was set at 1-under 143, leading to some surprising eliminations of top players, including Ludvig Åberg, who struggled after several double bogeys.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who shot 70, remains within reach, as he previously made significant comebacks, and remarked on the fierce competition, reflecting on his score and its implications: “I still very much in the mix.”
The attention now shifts to how players will adapt to the demanding course conditions on Saturday. Some of them, like Xander Schauffele, are hoping to extend their remarkable cut streak, having made 59 consecutive cuts. Yet, enduring games like this often mean players must remain mentally sharp and committed, especially when experiencing unfriendly weather.
If the previous days are any indication, scoring opportunities will be limited now. Fans and players alike are ready for what may become one of the most electrifying weekends of The Players Championship, underscoring Lee and Bhatia's potential to shine at TPC Sawgrass.
With only the highest stakes of professional golf on the line, many are hopeful to witness how Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia handle the intense pressure as they align for the weekend with their eyes on the coveted trophy.
The event continues to showcase the remarkable skills and mental fortitude of these players as they vie for glory at one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.