ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The Players Championship resumed play at 5:15 p.m. following a several hour severe weather delay Sunday. 

Despite the earlier start Sunday morning, the final round at The Players Championship was suspended due to severe weather as storms moved through the area. 

The worst of the weather, downpours and lightning, are off to the south of TPC Sawgrass, but scattered showers are expected to remain possible into the evening. Strong winds are also expected to pick up later in the day. 

Golfers and fans began leaving the course around 1:20 p.m. after the tournament came to a halt amid lighting and heavy rain in Ponte Vedra Beach. One fan told First Coast News she and her family sat still in traffic for over two hours before being able to leave the area. 

Gates will reopen to fans at 4:45 p.m. with play set to resume at 5:15 p.m. Tournament officials said all fans with Sunday tickets can reenter the course with their original ticket. 

Golfers teed off in groups of three beginning at 8 a.m. When play was suspended, Rory McIlroy was alone atop the leaderboard at -12 through 11 holes. Chasing him are JJ Spaun at -11 and three others at -10.