Players Championship Delay: Shooting Near TPC Sawgrass & Suspect Apprehended
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The opening of gates for Saturday’s third round of The Players Championship was delayed until 9 a.m. ET due to “operational considerations,” stemming from a shooting incident that occurred Friday night near TPC Sawgrass.
According to reports, two people were fatally shot in the parking lot of a Walgreens approximately one mile from the golf course around 10:30 p.m. On . The suspect, identified as Christian Barrios, 32, was subsequently tracked onto the TPC Sawgrass property by canine units following the incident.
Authorities say Barrios, who had turned 32 on Saturday, made contact with PGA Tour staff and briefly possessed a PGA Tour radio before discarding it. He then allegedly stole a black BMW and led police on a chase into Nassau County, where the vehicle was disabled and he was taken into custody around 8 a.m. ET. The St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick described Barrios’ criminal history as “embarrassing,” noting at least 27 prior arrests and that the shooting appeared to be related to a domestic situation.
The delay in opening the gates was a precautionary measure as law enforcement conducted their search. Whereas the incident understandably caused disruption, tournament officials confirmed that third-round tee times would proceed as scheduled. Seamus Power was the first to tee off at , playing as a single. On-course hospitality areas were delayed until opening at .
Sheriff Hardwick indicated that Barrios knew both victims, who were both shot multiple times and transported to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The victims were not residents of St. Johns County. The suspect was already out on probation at the time of the shooting, having been arrested in Jacksonville in 2025 on drug charges, according to reports.
The incident unfolded quickly, with authorities responding to the Walgreens shooting and immediately initiating a search for Barrios. The proximity of the crime scene to TPC Sawgrass necessitated a heightened security posture for the tournament, leading to the delayed opening. Canine units were deployed onto the course itself during the search, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the potential for the suspect to remain in the immediate vicinity.
The PGA Tour cited “operational considerations” as the reason for the gate delay, a standard response in such circumstances. However, the underlying cause was clearly the active manhunt for a suspect in a double homicide. The swift apprehension of Barrios, though, allowed the tournament to resume its schedule, albeit with a delayed start for spectators.
Hardwick’s comments suggest a familiarity with Barrios’ extensive criminal record, painting a picture of a repeat offender. The sheriff’s frustration was palpable, emphasizing the challenges law enforcement faces with individuals who repeatedly engage in criminal activity. The fact that Barrios was on probation at the time of the shooting raises questions about the effectiveness of the probationary system and the supervision of individuals with lengthy criminal histories.
The Players Championship, known for its challenging course and prestigious field, has now been marked by an unsettling incident off the course. While the tournament itself continues, the events of Friday night and Saturday morning serve as a stark reminder of the realities that can intrude upon even the most carefully controlled environments. The focus will now return to the competition, but the shadow of this tragedy will undoubtedly linger over the remainder of the event.