Weather disrupts Players as Fleetwood takes early lead

Monday finish looms as rain soaks TPC Sawgrass

SILLY WALK SPOILED: Ian Poulter jokes with Pat Perez on the second tee during the first round of play in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Picture: Lynne Sladky/AP

The PGA Tour’s on-site meteorologist came on television to update conditions in the middle of what turned out to be a 4-hour, 14-minute weather suspension Thursday at the Players Championship. It conjured up images of the round of the vicar’s life in “Caddyshack.” Storms, the weatherman said, should clear up by the afternoon and allow the first round to resume. As for Friday’s forecast?

“Tomorrow looks like a rough day,” said weatherman Wade Stettner. “We could be battling thunderstorms throughout most of the day.” In other words, he didn’t think the heavy stuff was going to come down for quite awhile.