PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Gary Young usually operates in the shadows and on the sun-splashed fairways on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
A rain-soaked Friday and another hours-long delay at the Players Championship forced Young front and center to deliver the news that play had been suspended before some golfers were able to complete even 18 holes in two days.
“The golf course has just reached a point of saturation, and unfortunately the weather conditions are not providing us any relief,” said Young, the tournament’s chief referee.
The decision assured the PGA Tour’s showcase event will not finish Sunday for the first time since 2005. Young, a longtime PGA Tour rules official, said a Tuesday finish is unlikely barring a dramatic change in the weather forecast.
“If our calculations on everything hold together, we certainly expect to be finished with the championship on Monday,” he said.
Play will not resume until at least 11 a.m. Saturday, once a severe weather system passes through. The forecast calls for heavy rains and wind gusts reaching 60 mph.
Fans will not be allowed on the course until tee times are announced.
“We just want to make sure we’re keeping everyone safe,” Young said.
Whoever wins the 40th Players staged at the Stadium Course and the $3.6 million first-place check will have earned it.
Weather delays have led to some taxing and emotionally draining days over the years. In 2011, runner-up David Toms played 32 holes on Sunday before falling to K.J. Choi in a playoff.
Multiple delays and soggy conditions following up to 3 inches of rain during a 36-hour period left players huddled under umbrellas attempting to stay dry on Friday. Weather prevented 46 golfers from completing their first rounds. This includes defending champion Justin Thomas, 2019 winner Rory McIlroy, former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Scottie Scheffler, the winner at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Brice Garnett left the course on an emotional high after having eagled the par-4 4th hole with a wedge from 96 yards and then splitting the fairway with his ensuing drive on the devilish par-4 5th.
“The shot on 4 was definitely a bonus before the horn [halting play],” he said.
After 13 holes, Garnett — a 38-year-old journeyman who won the Tour’s 2018 event in Puerto Rico — is tied at 6-under par with Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Hoge, who each finished on Thursday with 66s.
Little did Garnett know he would not hit another shot. The next one will be struck in entirely different circumstances.
Soft and windless conditions were conducive to low scoring as 79 of the 144 players in the field were under par. Once the massive weather front passes through Saturday, falling temperatures and howling winds of 25-30 mph will follow.
Players will receive an update at 7 a.m. Saturday telling them when it is safe to return to the Stadium Course and prepare for competition.
The second round will undoubtedly drag into Sunday before the field is cut to the top 65 players and ties, leaving no chance for third-round completion until Monday. Pairings will be reset Monday for the final round.
Officials project the tournament will conclude by 6:30 p.m. Monday to allow for a three-hole playoff, if necessary.
Fred Funk won the last Monday finish at TPC Sawgrass. To become the tournament’s oldest winner at 48 years, nine months, Funk overcame 35-mph gusts and sank a 5-foot par putt late in the day on the 18th hole to avert a four-way playoff Tuesday.
The previous two Monday finishes at the Stadium Course featured Tiger Woods, who held off Vijay Singh by a shot in 2001 after losing by a shot in 2000 to Hal Sutton. Each time, though, a full day of golf was not required because many groups had finished on Sunday.
To crown a Players champion this time will require three more long, full days. At least, golf will be part of the equation.
When he exited the course late Friday morning sitting at 4-under, veteran Kevin Kisner was eager for more. Hours later, he was headed home bracing for what lay ahead.
“I’d rather play now than tomorrow when it’s blowing 30,” he said.
