(This story has been updated to add new information.)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH | The Players Championship announced the end to a suspension lasting more than three hours due to lightning and thunderstorms, which halted competition during Sunday’s final round.
The PGA Tour suspended its flagship event at 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Storm cells continued to approach from the southwest, threatening with further lightning.
However, at 4:25 p.m., the Tour announced that practice facilities are now open. Players can resume their rounds at 5:15 p.m.
Rory McIlroy led at the time of the suspension, 12 under through 11 holes. Close behind were J.J. Spaun, 11 under through 10 holes; Tom Hoge, 10 under through 17 holes; Akshay Bhatia and Jacksonville resident Danny Walker, both 10 under through 12 holes; and former Northeast Florida resident Bud Cauley, 9 under through 10 holes.
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The PGA Tour had moved tee times forward to 8 a.m. and deployed golfers in threesomes Sunday in an effort to beat the storms, but only 21 competitors managed to complete their rounds before the stoppage.
Why was The Players Championship suspended?
Rain began off and on during the late morning hours, stemming from a large storm system also affecting Georgia and South Carolina. After 1 p.m., lightning flashed in the area and PGA Tour officials immediately suspended play.
During the delay, Tour officials urged spectators to seek shelter or exit the course, avoiding open areas, hilltops and trees. The course also closed concessions, grandstands and all temporary structures.
The National Weather Service had earlier issued a tornado watch on Sunday morning, effective through 3 p.m.
Once the tournament resumes, impending darkness could still prevent players from completing the round.
For some perspective, the final group of Spaun, Cauley and Lucas Glover teed off at 10:01 a.m. and had completed 10 holes in three hours and 14 minutes, with eight holes still to play. Sunset in Ponte Vedra is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Could The Players Championship finish on Monday?
It’s still possible, including the possibility of a playoff that bumps to Monday.
Should the PGA Tour bump the Players finish to Monday, no refunds will be issued. However, daily tickets or weekly badges will be honored for Monday golf.
Any procedures for Monday parking remain to be determined. In 2022, the most recent Monday finish at TPC Sawgrass, fans were able to use Sunday parking for Monday.
The weather forecast for Monday is cooler, with a high temperature of 66 degrees and wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour, but rain is not expected.
If the weather ends up bumping the final round’s conclusion to Monday, it wouldn’t be the first time.
The Players Championship has ended in Monday finishes on eight previous occasions, the last five coming since the move to the Stadium Course: 1974, 1976, 1981, 1983, 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2022.
