Shane Lowry: 'I’m proud of the way I went out there dealing with what happened on the eighth hole'

Four hours later, McIlroy cleaned up a birdie on 12 while Spaun three-putted for bogey a hole behind him on 11. That gave McIlroy, the 2019 Players champion, a three-shot cushion over Tom Hoge (posted 10-under with Sunday 66), Spaun and Akshay Bhatia.

HAPPY WITH COMEBACK: Shane Lowry is happy with the way his fought back to finish in the top 20. Pic: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy turned a four-shot deficit to start the day into a three-shot lead with six to play just minutes after play resumed after a four-hour suspension, while Shane Lowry climbed into the top 20 with a 5-under 67 on Sunday at the Players Championship.

McIlroy grabbed the lead alone with a 13-foot birdie putt on the par-5 11th that had him 4-under on the day and 12-under overall – a shot ahead of J.J. Spaun – when play was suspended after a loud clap of thunder at 1.15 pm local time.