MIAMI (AFP) — Xander Schauffele made seven birdies in a bogey-free third round to seize a one-stroke lead over reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark at The Players Championship on Saturday.

Reigning Olympic champion Schauffele fired a seven-under par 65 to stand on 17-under 199 through 54 holes at the $4.5 million US PGA Tour event on TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

"Just kind of made it work," Schauffele said. "I only hit two fairways on the back nine so feels good. It's nice to move up the leaderboard."

Schauffele began the day four adrift of leader Clark but was 6-for-6 getting up and down, sank a 58-foot birdie putt at 14, pulled ahead when Clark made bogey at the par-3 17th island hole and saved a clutch par at 18.

"When you're trying to compete out here, you have to have some things go your way, like that 58-footer," Schauffele said. "Got to clean up the small things."

'Just kind of made it work.'

Schauffele, whose most recent victory came at the 2022 Scottish Open, said winning his eighth career PGA title "would mean a lot to me."

"It has been a while since I've had the lead out here," Schauffele said. "Just going to try to enjoy myself and remind myself I'm good enough to win."

Clark struggled to a 70 after opening with back-to-back 65s.

"It was kind of my off day," Clark said. "I missed a couple putts early and a wedge on 17 but outside of that I thought I played pretty solid."

"I love where I'm at. I'm hoping I flip the script and have a Xander round tomorrow."

Reigning British Open champion Brian Harman was third on 201 after a sizzling 64 with England's Matt Fitzpatrick and American Maverick McNealy sharing fourth on 203.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion battling a neck injury, shot 68 with birdies on the last three holes to stand on 204.