German former world No.1 and 2010 US PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer has taken control of the prestigious Players Championship, as Adam Scott’s bid to be world no. 1 has faltered.

Dangerous weather has halted play at TPC Sawgrass, where Kaymer is three-under-par in his final round through 13 holes to move to 15-under-par for the tournament.

He is three clear of veteran American Jim Furyk, who is a short par-putt away from posting a 12-under total.

Young 20-year-old American phenom Jordan Spieth, who started the final round tied with Kaymer in the lead, has struggled to be one-over through 13 and 11-under for the week in third.

John Senden is the leading Australian but has struggled to be two-over on Sunday through 14 holes to drop to seven-under and a tie for 12th.

Marc Leishman (67) and Matt Jones (through 15 holes) sit tied 23rd at five-under.

Adam Scott’s quest for world No.1 has failed for at least another week after his one-over 73 left him tied 38th to this point, well short of the top-16 finish he needed to usurp the injured Tiger Woods.

“Overall this week I just didn’t play good enough,” Scott said.

“The course was demanding even though the greens were receptive it still had a lot of long rough and I found plenty of it.

“I was lucky to even make the weekend. Today I played from the rough and it’s impossible to play this course out of position so I battled all day.”

Steven Bowditch finished his debut at the event at one-under and tied 48th while Geoff Ogilvy struggled to a final round 78 to drop to 69th place.