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.

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will play bonus golf Monday after the final round of the Players Championship ended in a tie for first.

Rory McIlroy had every reason to think he would be leaving The Players Championship with the gold trophy and a big payoff Sunday. He was three shots ahead of J.J. Spaun after a four-hour rain delay and had a rain-softened course ahead of him.

Bud Cauley was 5 years old when he attended his first Players Championship and as a professional he’s played the PGA Tour’s flagship event four times not to mention countless recreational rounds as a north Florida resident.