Updates
A look at what we’re dealing with
Tom Hoge gets in approach shot on 18
Just before play was suspended, Hoge hit a 9-iron to 17 feet.
He is currently one off the lead with a chance to post the target.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Tom Hoge of the United States reacts on the 16th green during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 16, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
HORN!
With a storm headed Ponte Vedra Beach’s way, PGA Tour officials have suspended play.
Rory McIlroy reclaims solo lead
McIlroy makes a 13-footer for birdie at the 11th to reach 12 under. He’s one clear of J.J. Spaun, who is currently on the par 5.
Things tightening up on the leaderboard
While Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun share the lead at 11 under, Akshay Bhatia, Tom Hoge and Danny Walker are one back.
Hoge is on the 18th hole while Walker, who was an 11th-hour replacement, is on the 12th.
In case you’re wondering what the playoff format is
Final group makes the turn
Bud Cauley and J.J. Spaun both made their first birdies of the round at the par-5 ninth. Lucas Glover has three bogeys and no birdies. Here’s where they stand:
T1. Spaun: -11 (1 over on the day)T4. Cauley: -9 (2 over)
T14. Glover: -6 (3 over)
Rory McIlroy can’t get up and down
From behind the green at the par-5 ninth, McIlroy chips to 11 feet. He can’t convert the birdie, though, and remains at 11 under, tied with Akshay Bhatia.
Leaderboard shifts quickly
In the span of minutes, J.J. Spaun bogeys the par-3 eighth (bad tee shot), while Akshay Bhatia birdies the ninth. McIlroy, meanwhile, is over the green in two at the par-5 ninth.
Leaderboard:T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (9)T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (8)
3. J.J. Spaun: -10 (8)
Rory McIlroy with the bounce-back birdie
McIlroy hits his tee shot to 15 feet at the par-3 eighth and curls in the birdie. He’s now 3 under on the day and, again, a co-leader.
Leaderboard:T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (8)T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (7)
3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (8)
Akshay Bhatia joins Rory McIlroy
Bhatia bogeys the eighth and J.J. Spaun is again alone at the top.
Leaderboard:1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)T2. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (8)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -10 (8)
Rory McIlroy drops back
After a poor drive into the bunker at the par-4 seventh, McIlroy cards his first bogey of the day.
Leaderboard:T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (7)T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (6)
3. Rory McIlroy: -10 (7)
Been a tough anniversary for Rickie Fowler
Fowler won the 2015 Players in impressive fashion but after opening in 68 Thursday, he’s gone 71-82. He started his final round with a quadruple bogey to drop into last place — three clear of Xander Schauffele.
Missed opportunity for Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia poorly struck a 7-footer for birdie at the seventh that would have given him the outright lead.
Leaderboard:T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (7)T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (6)
T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)
Insight from a Masters champion
I feel like Rory is trying to hit too many fades off the tee….swing starting to look a little wipey. Going to be fun to see how this plays out, hope the electricity stays away.
— Trevor Immelman (@TrevorImmelman) March 16, 2025
Three-way tie for the lead
J.J. Spaun has had multiple, stressful par putts over his first five holes. He finally missed one on the fifth.
Leaderboard:T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (6)
T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (5)
Earlier in the day we called out this post …
The umbrellas are out
That’s all there is to add at the moment.
Back-to-back bogeys for Bud Cauley
After a bogey at the third, Cauley clips a tree off the tee at No. 4 and cards another square. He drops to 9 under, three back.
J.J. Spaun coaxes in a par putt at the fourth to remain on top. Akshay Bhatia and Rory McIlroy are the only other players in double-digits under par.
Leaderboard:1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (4)T2. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (5)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (4)
It’s starting to rain a little
NBC’s Dan Hicks said heavier rain is headed their way but, he added, no lightning for now.
Three birdies in four holes for Akshay Bhaita
With the torrid start, Bhatia is one off the lead. The 23-year-old was the 36-hole co-leader and struggled to a Saturday 75. He’s firmly in the mix now.
Leaderboard: 1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (2) T2. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (4)T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (3)
T2. Bud Cauley: -11 (2)
Video proof of Rory’s eagle
EAGLE FOR RORY!
Going all caps early.
After a 319-yard drive at the par-5 second, Rory McIlroy hits it to 10 feet from 228. He then rolls in the eagle to reach 11 under.
Leaderboard:1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (1)T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (2)
T2. Bud Cauley: -11 (1)
Early birdies for McIlroy, Bhatia
Both pick up a shot at the first and both move to 9 under, three off the lead.
Final group is on the course
J.J. Spaun finds the fairway, Bud Cauley (who turned 35 today) does too, and Lucas Glover makes it 3-for-3.
Leaderboard:1. Spaun: -12 (—)2. Cauley: -11 (—)
3. Smalley: -10 (1)
Collin Morikawa on the move
Following a Saturday 77, Morikawa has three birdies in his first five holes Sunday to get back within five of the lead.
The $25 million purse breakdown
First-hour update
Among those playing in the first-hour window, no one is better than 1 under par on the round.
Jordan Spieth’s off to nightmare start
Beginning on the 10th hole, Spieth has started bogey-bogey-bogey-double bogey.
Sunday’s weather outlook
Pay no attention to the Monday forecast. Nothing to see here.
Unfamiliar with J.J. Span? No more!
Tee times off the first and 10th holes
TV times for Sunday