Little-known Lingmerth atop board

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — While all eyes were on Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia in their high-profile final pairing Saturday and2009winnerHenrik Stenson atop The Players Championship leaderboard, into the mixslipped little-knownTour rookieDavid Lingmerth.

Since he lost in a playoff in January’sHumana Challenge to Brian Gay, Lingmerth had missed eight of 10 cuts, including the past five. But Lingmerth, a native of Sweden who lives in Arkansas, overcame stiff winds and looming darkness to build a two-shot lead — at 12-under par — over Woods, Garcia and Stenson — all past champions here.

Thunderstorms in the Jacksonville area caused a 108-minuteweather delay that lasted until 5:57p.m. and prevented the conclusion of the third round.

When tournament officials called play due to darkness, Lingmerth showed the cool under pressure and killer instinct he will need to close the deal Sunday. Lingmerth, like the eight players still on the course, had the option to finish the hole hewas on.

And boy did he finish, calmly sinking a 10-foot birdie