foxnews Press
Players Championship delays gate opening amid manhunt for double murder suspect near golf course
Images
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.
The Players Championship delayed opening its gates for Saturday’s third round after a manhunt for a suspect accused of fatally shooting two people in a drugstore parking lot that led police onto the grounds of TPC Sawgrass.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said in a press conference early Saturday morning that authorities received multiple calls regarding shots fired in a Walgreens parking lot, roughly a mile from the course, at around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Si Woo Kim drives 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/Gerald Herbert)
"Two individuals were shot multiple times. Both those individuals were, of course, transported and have succumbed to their injuries," Hardwick said, describing the scene as a "domestic violence situation."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Law enforcement pursued the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, into the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass.
"Our canine units actually tracked into TPC, which is, the PGA Tour headquarters is over there. It tracked in there."
Hardwick said the suspect had contact with multiple individuals on the course, including groundskeepers and security. Barrios had also allegedly picked up a PGA Tour radio and later dropped it.
Law enforcement pursued the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Christian Barrios, into the night and said the trail eventually led them to TPC Sawgrass. (Nassau County Sheriff's Office)
FLORIDA MAN KILLS 2, WOUNDS DEPUTY AND 1 OTHER IN VEHICULAR ATTACK, SHOOTING SPREE: POLICE
Barrios then stole a black BMW and fled. Nassau County authorities pursued the car and forced a crash into the woods where he took off on foot.
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office later confirmed that Barrios was taken into custody just before 8 a.m. His exact charges were not immediately known, but Hardwick suggested he had a lengthy criminal history.
"This thug’s criminal history is embarrassing – embarrassing."
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Players Championship cited "operational considerations" when announcing its delay in opening the gates. Tee times 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 victim’s identities were not immediately known. Hardwick said the suspect knew both victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Paulina Dedaj is a Sports Editor for Fox News Digital.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and
agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can
opt-out at any time.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!