Nina Caldwell
The Players Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour, regarded as one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. The tournament was interrupted by thunderstorms on Sunday, leading to a four-hour suspension in play. The final group had not completed the 11th hole before play was halted. Rory McIlroy, who was leading at 12 under through 11 holes at the time of the suspension, surged into a one-shot lead on the back nine. Play resumed at 5:15 pm ET, with golfers returning to the course after the weather cleared. The tournament organizers aimed to finish the competition before sundown, projected at 7:34 pm ET.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of resumption | 16 March 2025, 5:15 p.m. ET |
| Reason for suspension | Thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain |
| Leader at the time of suspension | Rory McIlroy, 12 under through 11/12 holes |
| Close competitors | J.J. Spaun, Tom Hoge, Akshay Bhatia, Danny Walker, Bud Cauley |
| Prize money | $4.5 million |
| Total purse | $25 million |
| Yearly occurrence | Annual |
| Month of occurrence | March |
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What You'll Learn
The Players Championship
In 2025, The Players Championship was affected by inclement weather, including thunderstorms and lightning, which caused delays in the final round of the tournament. Despite efforts to anticipate and mitigate the impact of the storms, such as moving up tee times and having golfers play in threesomes, the PGA Tour was forced to suspend play temporarily. The suspension occurred during a close competition between several golfers, with Rory McIlroy taking the lead at 12-under, followed closely by J.J. Spaun, Akshay Bhatia, Tom Hoge, and others.
Following a delay of approximately four hours, play resumed at 5:15 p.m. ET, as the weather cleared. The tournament organizers were keen to complete the rest of the play before sundown, which was projected to occur at 7:34 p.m. ET. The resumption of play set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament, with McIlroy aiming for his second title at The Players and his second victory of the season.
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Rory McIlroy's performance
Rory McIlroy is a professional golfer who has represented Europe, Ireland, and Great Britain & Ireland. He has had a successful career, winning the Players Championship in 2019 and 2025, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January 2023, the Genesis Scottish Open in July 2023, and the CJ Cup at Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina in October 2023. McIlroy also won his fifth Race to Dubai title in November 2023.
In 2023, McIlroy missed the cut at the Masters Tournament and finished tied-7th at the PGA Championship in May. At the U.S. Open in June, he finished solo-second, one shot behind Wyndham Clark. The following week, he finished tied-6th at the Open Championship. In September 2023, McIlroy played on the European team in the Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy, where he was the top scorer with a 4-1-0 record.
McIlroy's performance at the 2023 Players Championship was not his best. He described his performance as "blah", and his effort at the flagship event as "dismal". He completed a one-over 73 with a slapdash bogey on the 18th hole and was dismissed from the $25 million event with a five-over 149 total, his third-worst 36-hole performance in 13 starts on the Stadium Course.
However, McIlroy's performance at the 2025 Players Championship was much stronger. He surged into a one-shot lead on the back nine, birdieing the par-5 11th hole to put him at 12 under. Play was then suspended due to thunderstorms, but McIlroy emerged victorious, winning his 28th PGA Tour title and becoming just the eighth man to win multiple Players Championships.
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J.J. Spaun's performance
The Players Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour, regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. The 2025 tournament was halted by thunderstorms, causing a four-hour delay in play.
J.J. Spaun had a one-shot lead going into the final day of the tournament. However, Spaun's performance on the final day was not enough to maintain his lead. He was 1 over for his round and one shot behind Rory McIlroy, who surged into a one-shot lead on the back nine.
Spaun's performance at The Players Championship demonstrates his potential and ability to compete at the highest level. While he could not maintain his lead, he showed resilience and skill, finishing the tournament strongly despite the challenging conditions.
Spaun's performance at The Players Championship adds to his impressive golf career. He has previously won the U.S. Open, which he described as a "fairy-tale ending." Spaun's victory at the U.S. Open showcases his talent and ability to perform under pressure.
Overall, J.J. Spaun's performance at The Players Championship was commendable. Despite facing adverse weather conditions and strong competition, he remained competitive and finished the tournament strongly, showcasing his resilience and skill. Spaun's performance at this prestigious tournament will undoubtedly boost his reputation and confidence as he continues to compete at the highest level of golf.
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Tournament purse
The Players Championship, commonly known as The Players, is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is the tour's flagship event and was originally known as the Tournament Players Championship when it began in 1974.
The tournament purse for The Players has seen an upward trajectory over the years. In 2019, the purse was $12.5 million, and in 2023, it stood at a whopping $25 million, making it the largest purse in golf. The winner of The Players Championship in 2023 and 2025 took home a cheque of $4.5 million, constituting 18% of the total purse. This winner's share is the largest in golf, excluding the Tour Championship with its FedEx Cup bonuses.
The large purse is one of the characteristics that sets The Players apart from other tournaments and contributes to its prestige. The winner also receives a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, a three-year invitation to the Masters Tournament, and three-year exemptions for the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. Additionally, the winner earns 600 FedEx Cup points if they are a PGA Tour member.
The purse for the 2025 tournament was the third consecutive year that it was set at $25 million. Rory McIlroy, who won the 2025 edition, took home the $4.5 million winner's cheque, bringing his total career earnings to $99,709,602. J.J. Spaun, who was the runner-up, earned $2,725,000, which was a career-best for him.
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Past winners
The Players Championship, commonly known as The Players, is an annual golf tournament that began in 1974. It is the flagship event of the PGA Tour and is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. The winner of the tournament receives a substantial sum of money, a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, and invitations to other major championships.
1982:
Jerry Pate was the inaugural winner of The Players Championship in 1982. This victory ushered in a new era for the tournament, which was then known as the Tournament Players Championship.
1983:
Hal Sutton won the Players Championship in 1983 and topped the money list with earnings of $426,668.
1992:
Mark Calcavecchia and John Daly were a notable pair in the 1992 tournament. Although they did not win, they were reprimanded for completing their 18 holes in only two hours and three minutes, which was considered a "failure to exert their best effort."
1994:
Greg Norman achieved the 72-hole record score of 264 in 1994, securing a four-shot victory over Fuzzy Zoeller.
1995:
Lee Janzen won the 1995 tournament, with a score of 283, marking the biggest one-year swing for a tournament played on the same layout in PGA Tour history.
1996:
Fred Couples won his second Players Championship in 1996, twelve years after his first victory. He shot a final-round score of 64 to defeat Colin Montgomerie and Tommy Tolles by four shots.
1999:
David Duval claimed victory in 1999, winning by two shots over Scott Gump. This win propelled him to the number one ranking in the world.
2000:
Hal Sutton won his second Players Championship in 2000, this time at the TPC at Sawgrass.
2003:
Davis Love III secured his second Players Championship title in 2003, shooting a final-round score of 64 to win by six shots.
2004:
Adam Scott won in 2004 despite facing challenges, including hitting his second shot at the 72nd hole into the water.
2005:
Fred Funk became the tournament's oldest champion in 2005, edging out Tom Lehman, Luke Donald, and Scott Verplank by one shot.
2008:
Sergio Garcia was the winner of The Players Championship in 2008.
2010:
Tim Clark broke through for his first PGA Tour win at The Players Championship in 2010, after 206 career starts.
2011:
K.J. Choi became the first Asian-born golfer to win The Players Championship in 2011. He defeated David Toms in a sudden-death playoff.
2024:
Scottie Scheffler overcame a five-shot deficit in the final round to become the first back-to-back winner in 2024.
2025:
Rory McIlroy secured his second Players Championship title in 2025, defeating J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff. This victory marked McIlroy's 28th PGA Tour title.
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Frequently asked questions
The Players Championship, commonly known as The Players, is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is the tour's flagship event and is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf.
The Players Championship resumed at 5:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16, 2025, after a weather delay due to lightning and heavy rain.
As of 2023, the winner of The Players Championship receives a share of a $25 million purse, with the victor earning $4.5 million, making it one of the richest tournaments in golf.
The Players Championship is hosted at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The tournament has been played at this venue since 1982.
Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship in 2025, claiming his second title at the event and his 28th PGA Tour victory overall.
