PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Rory McIlroy finished eagle-birdie-par down the famed closing stretch at the TPC Sawgrass for a 7-under 65 to tie Tommy Fleetwood for the lead going into the weekend at The Players Championship.
Fleetwood rode a birdie-eagle-birdie start to a 67 on Friday and was the first to reach 12-under 132. This is the second straight week Fleetwood has had a share of the 36-hole lead.
Jim Furyk played his best round at Sawgrass the one time he wasn't even expecting to be here. Coming off his two years as Ryder Cup captain that saw his world ranking plunge to No. 231, he didn't get into the field until Sunday and shot 64. Furyk was three behind, along with Ian Poulter, Abraham Ancer and Brian Harman.
Tiger Woods hit two balls in the water on the island-green 17th and shot 71. He was nine back.
