ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Despite the earlier start Sunday morning, the final round at The Players Championship was suspended due to severe weather and could be in jeopardy of not finishing before nightfall. Players are awaiting an update from tournament officials on when play is expected to resume. 

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. 

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. 

PGA TOUR officials are monitoring the weather and are issuing updates every 30 minutes. The next update is expected at 4:30 p.m.

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