Crossword Genius

Opposing players step round vacated tee, as requested (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

entreated

'requested' is the definition.

'opposing players step round vacated tee' is the wordplay.
'opposing players' becomes 'en'.
'step' becomes 'tread' (tread is a kind of step).
'round' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'vacated' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'tee' with its centre removed is 'te'.
'tread' placed around 'te' is 'treated'.
'en'+'treated'='ENTREATED'

'as' is the link.

(Other definitions for entreated that I've seen before include "Appealed earnestly, begged" , "Asked earnestly" , "Pleaded" , "Beseeched" , "organised petition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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