Players Championship: Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau go head-to-head

Lee Westwood will go head-to-head with Bryson DeChambeau once again with the Englishman leading by two going into the Players Championship final round.

Westwood, chasing a first PGA Tour title in 11 years, moved to 13 under par with a bogey-free four-under 68.

DeChambeau, who edged Westwood to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, shot a 67 to finish on 11 under on a scintillating day at TPC Sawgrass.

Justin Thomas had set the clubhouse lead at 10 under par with a superb 64.

England’s Paul Casey, world number two Jon Rahm and American Brian Harman are one further back.

Matt Fitzpatrick headed out in the final pair alongside compatriot Westwood but endured a difficult third round, finding the water three times and trading four birdies with four bogeys to remain at eight under.

He sits alongside Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who bogeyed the final hole to sign for a 71 on Saturday.

Westy v Bryson – the ‘rematch’

Westwood has not won on the PGA Tour since June 2010 at the St. Jude Classic, during a run of form that saw him become the world’s number one golfer.

After finishing second at Bay Hill last week, the veteran is well placed to end that drought and continue a hot streak that began last year, claiming the European Tour’s order of merit title for the third time in December to become the oldest Race to Dubai champion.

The Englishman, who has won 44 professional tournaments, may be turning 48 next month but he is starting to forge an unlikely rivalry with the big-hitting DeChambeau, a player 20 years his junior.

Despite their contrasting styles, the pair will go head-to-head on the PGA Tour for the second week in a row when they head out in Sunday’s final group in Florida.

“It’s like the rematch,” smiled Westwood. “That will be fun. I like playing with Bryson, he is a breath of fresh air.

“I have always tried to have fun, but it is easier now – I don’t allow the game of golf to affect me mentally anymore.”

Agencies