Rickie Fowler shot a sparkling 65 to move into the outright lead in The Players Championship at Sawgrass after Sergio Garcia had stormed into contention in Florida.
Fowler claimed his maiden victory on the US PGA Tour when beating World Number One Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points in a play-off at the Wells Fargo Championship last week.
Clearly spurred on by the confidence gained from his success, the 23 year old delivered a masterful round in tricky conditions.
Picking up where he left off last night, Fowler birdied six of the opening 11 holes and added another on the par five 16th after a perfect up and down bunker shot.
He finished off a bogey free round in the next two in a performance that had so far been matched only by the brilliant Garcia, who ended in sizzling fashion to move into contention.
The Spaniard began the day level and looked set to endure frustration when making a seven on the par five second.
But that and two bogeys did not taint an outstanding effort; Garcia delivered eight birdies, including five on the back nine.
Yet he was still XX shots off the lead after the tour de force from Fowler, who overcame the gust to set a clubhouse target of 10 under.
The chasing pack was led by Kevin Na and Matt Kuchar, who, having both started seven under, were one off the lead.
Among those further back, Martin Kaymer, a Major Champion in 2010, was a notable name; the German’s five birdies cancelled out bogeys at seven and 13 to see him to five under through 17.
But a dropped shot on the last ensured he ended on four under alongside Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter.
Luke Donald looked the more likely of the two Englishman battling for a chance to move to the summit of the World Golf Rankings.
Donald and Lee Westwood both started on three under but, while the former stayed on the same score, the latter had slipped to one under through 14.
Westwood needs to emerge victorious and hope Donald does not finish runner-up, while his playing partner requires a top four finish.
