Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer was joined by Jordan Spieth at the top of The Players Championship leaderboard as the third round began in Florida.
Kaymer, seeking a first win for 18 months, held a two shot advantage after his course record-equalling 63 on Thursday and was five clear of the field when he added a 69 on Friday for a halfway total of 132, 12 under par.
But that lead was cut to a single shot by rising star Spieth, the American the only player in the field without a single bogey in the first 36 holes, and the Masters Tournament runner-up drew level when Kaymer bogeyed the fourth after missing the green.
Lee Westwood had moved into a share of third on eight under after an eagle from four feet at the long second.
The Englishman bogeyed the fifth, but holed a 12 footer at the next to re-join Matt Jones and George McNeill.
Another European Ryder Cup star, Francesco Molinari, was a shot further back after a third round 67, with Sergio Garcia alongside him after two birdies and a bogey in his first seven holes.
