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The Players Championship delayed opening its doors for Saturday’s third round after a manhunt for a suspect accused of shooting two people in a pharmacy parking lot led police to the grounds of TPC Sawgrass.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said during a news conference early Saturday morning that authorities received several calls about shots fired in a Walgreens parking lot, about a mile from the course, around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Si Woo Kim walks off the 17th tee during the second round of The Players Championship golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gérald Herbert)
“Two individuals were shot multiple times. Those two individuals were obviously transported and succumbed to their injuries,” Hardwick said, describing the scene as a “domestic violence situation.”
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Law enforcement pursued the suspect, identified as Christian Barrios, 32, into the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass.
“Our canine units were tracked to the TPC, which is where the PGA Tour headquarters is there. They were tracked there.”
Hardwick said the suspect had contact with several people on the course, including guards and security guards. Barrios also allegedly picked up a PGA Tour radio and then dropped it.
Law enforcement pursued the suspect, identified as Christian Barrios, 32, into the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass. (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office)
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Barrios then stole a black BMW and fled. Nassau County authorities chased the car and forced him to crash into the woods where he took off on foot.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that Barrios was arrested just before 8 a.m. His exact charges were not immediately known, but Hardwick suggested he had a long criminal history.
“This thug’s criminal history is embarrassing – embarrassing.”
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The Players Championship cited “operational considerations” in announcing its delay in opening the doors. Departure times have remained unchanged.
A general view of the 17th hole during the second round of The Players Championship at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on March 13, 2026. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
The identities of the victims were not immediately known. Hardwick said the suspect knew both victims.
