Rahm races into lead on day 3 of Players Championship

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Jon Rahm fired an eight-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead at the Players Championship in Florida on Saturday, gaining advantage into the final round as he chases his first win of the year.

The 24-year-old Spanish ace dominated the penultimate day at TPC Sawgrass's Stadium Course at Ponte Vedra Beach with smashing shots and perfect putting.

The world number 10 only missed out on equaling the course record 63 by a whisker after finishing the third round with a 15-under-par aggregate of 201.

He gained sole possession of the lead after overnight leader Rory McIlroy experienced a mixed round. The former world number one from Northern Ireland carded a two-under-par 70 to finish the day at 14 under.

Rory McIlroy during the second round of the Players Championship held on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. /VCG Photo

England's Tommy Fleetwood will also start the fourth round one off the pace after he ended the day at two-under-par 70 for 14 under.

Rahm has been remarkably consistent since the beginning of this year as he has made top-10 finishes in five of six starts.

"For the past year or so, I've been working so hard in the mental aspect of my game, trying to keep myself in check a little bit more," Rahm remarked after his round.

He added, "I've been really proud the way I've handled. Hopefully tomorrow I can continue it and get a good round."

Meanwhile, McIlroy mentioned, "To play the final 16 holes in four under was good. I just need to keep hitting fairways and greens on Sunday. If I can do that, hopefully I can turn tomorrow into the best Sunday of the year so far."