Rory McIlroy Takes the Lead at The Players Championship Amid Weather Delays
In a dramatic turn of events at The Players Championship, Rory McIlroy surged into the lead at 12 under par, only to have play suspended due to lightning in the area. The interruption came shortly after McIlroy’s impressive performance, which saw him leapfrog from a tie for fifth place to the top of the leaderboard.
McIlroy, who was trailing third-round leader J.J. Spaun by two strokes, made a remarkable comeback by going 4 under par through his first 11 holes. His round was highlighted by three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole, although he did have a bogey on the par-4 seventh hole. This performance put him one shot ahead of Spaun, who was 1 over through 10 holes.
The suspension of play occurred at 1:15 p.m. ET, as heavy rain and lightning, which had been forecasted, moved into the area. The weather is expected to continue through 5 p.m., with a slight tapering off by 7 p.m. Given that sunset in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is at 7:34 p.m., the PGA Tour had made efforts to get ahead of the weather by adjusting starting times, playing in threesomes, and having the lower portion of the leaderboard start on the 10th hole.
Should the final round be delayed until Monday, the forecast predicts clear skies but with winds reaching up to 25 mph in the afternoon. This could add another layer of challenge for the players as they aim to complete the tournament.
McIlroy, who won the 2019 Players Championship, has consistently performed well in this tournament, finishing in the top 10 four times. His experience and past success at this event make him a formidable contender as the competition resumes.
Meanwhile, Bud Cauley, who was in second place overnight, found himself at 2 over through 10 holes, bringing his total to 9 under for the tournament. Cauley’s performance will be one to watch as the final round unfolds.
- Rory McIlroy leads at 12 under par.
- Play suspended due to lightning at 1:15 p.m. ET.
- J.J. Spaun trails by one stroke at 1 over through 10 holes.
- Bud Cauley at 9 under for the tournament.
The anticipation builds as fans and players alike await the resumption of play. With McIlroy in the lead and the weather adding an unpredictable element, the final round of The Players Championship promises to be an exciting conclusion to this prestigious event.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
