PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Players Championship turned into a race against time on Sunday when thunderstorms halted play right after Rory McIlroy surged into a one-shot lead on the back nine. The PGA Tour stopped play at 1:15 p.m. The final group had not completed the 11th hole, meaning a little more than two hours would be required to finish.

Shortly after Rory McIlroy had taken the lead at 12-under, play was suspended at The Players Championship due to lightning in the area.

The weather the PGA Tour hoped to avoid in the final round of The Players Championship on Sunday did not hold off, and now — just over halfway through Round 4 — play has been suspended. Rory McIlroy,