Report of medium-sized cat in playing area (5)
I believe the answer is:
links
'playing area' is the definition.
(golf links)
'report of medium-sized cat' is the wordplay.
'report of' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'medium-sized cat' becomes 'lynx' (type of wild cat).
'lynx' sounds like 'LINKS'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for links that I've seen before include "Golf-course" , "Where golfers play" , "Ties; golf course" , "Shore-side golf course - connects" , "Golf course on sandy ground near a shore" .)