Players Championship delayed after manhunt suspect flees to TPC Sawgrass
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The Players Championship delayed the opening of the gates to Saturday’s third round after a search for a suspect accused of fatally shooting two people in a pharmacy parking lot led police to the TPC Sawgrass course.
St. Authorities received multiple calls about shots fired in the Walgreens parking lot about a mile from the course around 10:30 p.m. Friday, St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said at a news conference early Saturday morning.
Si Woo Kim died in Fla. on March 13, 2026. He placed 17th in the second round of the Players Championship held in Ponte Vedra Beach. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Describing the situation as a “domestic violence situation,” Hardwick said, “Two individuals were shot multiple times. Both individuals were, of course, transported and died from their injuries.” he said.
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Law enforcement tracked the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, throughout the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass.
“Our K-9 units followed the TPC, so the headquarters of the PGA Tour was there. They were followed.”
Hardwick said the suspect came into contact with multiple people on the course, including course officials and security. Barrios also allegedly picked up a PGA Tour radio and then dropped it.
Law enforcement tracked the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, throughout the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass. (Nassau County Sheriff’s Office)
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Barrios then allegedly stole a black BMW and fled. Nassau County authorities pursued the car and forced it to crash into the woods, from which Barrios fled on foot.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that Barrios was taken into custody just before 8 a.m. His charges were not yet known, but Hardwick suggested he had a long criminal history.
“This thug’s criminal history is disgraceful, disgraceful.”
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The Players Championship pointed to “operational considerations” when explaining the delay in opening the gates. Tee times remain unchanged.
The 17th hole in the second round of the Players Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, 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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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