Ludvig Aberg and Xander Schauffele lead the Players Championship standings

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. — Players Championship Highlights

Cream rose to the top of the leaderboard during the second round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on Friday.

Xander Schauffele, ranked 10th in the world, kicked things off with a striking seven-under 65, accumulating eight birdies to secure an early lead at 10 under.

Then, the young Swedish golfer Ludwig Oberg, just 26 years old, dazzled with a remarkable 9-under 63 in the afternoon, pushing him ahead to 12 under and two strokes clear of Schauffele.

Cam Young, hailing from Westchester and a graduate of Sleepy Hollow Country Club, stands at 9 under, trailing the leaders by three strokes after carding a 67 on Friday.

Also in the mix are Justin Thomas and Canadian Corey Connors, each sitting four places back at 8 under. Thomas finished with a 68 while Connors shot a 67.

The day kicked off with Schauffele hitting all 14 fairways flawlessly, paving the way for Oberg’s exceptional round, which featured six birdies and two eagles. With a stellar front nine of 6-under 29, he looked poised to challenge the course record of 62 held by Thomas and Tom Hoge, but a bogey on the 15th halted his attempt.

There’s been a lot of anticipation around Oberg’s performance in such a high-profile tournament. His skill and composure over the years, especially at his young age, have been noteworthy. Despite his undeniable talent, Oberg has only two PGA Tour victories: the RSM Classic in 2023 and the Genesis Invitational in 2025. Securing a Players Championship title would certainly be a significant accomplishment.

Living nearby, Oberg considers TPC Sawgrass his home course, where he practices regularly. “I play here from time to time. I’ve probably seen the golf course in all kinds of winds, but I know it’s going to be a different wind this week,” he noted. “Sawgrass requires precise shots. It seems straightforward, yet it’s a challenge.”

Along with Oberg and Schauffele, players like Young and Thomas are also set to make an impact this weekend. “I wasn’t really conscious of all the fairways,” Schauffele remarked. “It felt great hitting everything, particularly on this course. I felt in control and was able to attack the course.”

He mentioned that a session with his swing coach, Chris Como, on Thursday night helped him improve things. “I felt I was close. I hit a lot of solid iron shots,” he said.

Young, currently ranked 15th and named the Most Valuable Player for the U.S. Ryder Cup Team in 2025, has only claimed one PGA Tour win — the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Achieving victory this week would mark a significant milestone. “Throughout my time on tour, I’ve always anticipated achieving more than I have,” Young expressed. “Being in contention here feels like I’m inching closer to my goals. I’ve had those expectations since I was 12.”