Fans, vendors stay positive as round three begins at THE PLAYERS Championship

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. — Round three of THE PLAYERS Championship began Sunday afternoon after weather delays impacted the tournament for days.

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This has been tough for the athletes and fans who have eagerly waited for this week but also for the vendors who have come out to get some exposure and make a profit.

Now, a full and dry day of golf is what fans crossed their fingers for on Sunday.

Ticket holder Pat Rhodes said this was still the best PLAYERS he has been to yet.

“The course is absolutely beautiful and other than the weather it’s just fantastic,” Rhodes said. “The excitement of everyone getting out and walking around and watching the great players, it’s the best of the best.”

Rhodes traveled to Florida from the Washington, D.C. area.

“Denny McCarthy is sort of a family friend,” Rhodes said. “I think he’s -2 right now, and I’m hoping he’ll move up the leaderboard and hopefully win this thing.”

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Even though the back and forth, vendors like 4 Rivers Smokehouse said they’ve chosen to stay optimistic.

Alexsya Simmons is a server with 4 Rivers Smokehouse.

“It was a slight challenge with the rain and everything, but it was fun,” Simmons said. “We still had people coming out to support our business and support THE PLAYERS. So, it’s been great.”

This is 4 Rivers Smokehouse’s seventh year selling food at the tournament.

“A little cold and a little rainy, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it,” Simmons said.

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Just a few steps over, a manager with Mini Bar Donuts agreed.

“It feels really good,” manager Jen Vega said. “I think THE PLAYERS are really good at making the community feel together because they do ask a bunch of local businesses to take part.”

While Mini Bar Donuts has set up shop at THE PLAYERS four times now, Vega said this was her first experience at the tournament.

“Just the amount of people who are coming in is incredible to see,” Vega said. “Everyone’s out here having a good time and enjoying themselves.”

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If you had a ticket for any day of the tournament, you will now have the opportunity to watch THE PLAYERS on Monday with that ticket for grounds access admission.

PGA officials expect the tournament to wrap on Monday.

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