Florida may be one of the warmest spots in the country right now. But there could be some nasty weather in store for competitors at The Players Championship this weekend.
The PGA Tour returns to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, where the daily high temperature has been reaching the low 70s. (Quite the contrast to other spots on the eastern seaboard.) However, sunny conditions are expected to be interrupted by less-than-ideal conditions once the event tees off on Thursday.
“The weather might be a challenge during this tournament this week,” The Weather Channel’s website warns. “The forecast says Thursday has a 70% chance of rain, so expect wet conditions during the first round, with sustained winds of 10-16 mph and gusts hitting 22 mph.”
How Wind Impacts The Players Championship
As we’ve previously discussed, it takes an elite golfer to play through 20-mile-per-hour winds.
“While 20 mph may seem like a lot, with a bit of skill and know-how (and lots of practice), it’s perfectly possible to make a success of your game on the golf course,” Glenmuir says. “Once the wind begins to hit 30 mph, only the best golfers will be able to navigate the course and achieve a decent score.”
Wind will, unfortunately, play a big role at The Players this weekend, even when the rain stops.
“Friday dries out, but don’t expect blazing hot temperatures, as there will be a high of 73 degrees with stronger winds pushing 12-18 mph and gusts up to 24 mph,” The Weather Channel continues.
“Saturday will have the best weather of the tournament: 77 degrees, no rain, and winds calming down to 10-15 mph. But don’t get too comfortable because scattered thunderstorms are back in play on Sunday, which means potential delays and the worst conditions when it matters most.”
History of Bad Weather at TPC Sawgrass
Postponing a round of golf due to weather is never fun. But, not surprisingly, delaying a round at The Players wouldn’t be all that odd. Mother Nature has been in a foul mood plenty of times during this event, which has been held at TPC Sawgrass since 1982.
In 2011, storms brought rain, lightning, and 38-mph winds to the links. That year, the event had to be completed on Monday because play was suspended on three consecutive days.
Conditions weren’t much better in 2025, when Rory McIlroy was battling for his second career victory at The Players. The fourth round “turned into a race against time,” ESPN said, because thunderstorms were rolling in. McIlroy had secured a one-shot lead before play was suspended for four hours. The Irishman weathered the elements, however, and won The Players on Monday in a playoff against J.J. Spaun.
Can Rory McIlroy Weather the Storm Again?
McIlroy has been in the spotlight this week, although storm clouds aren’t the issue he’s trying to weather this week.
The world No. 2 golfer had to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to muscle spasms in his back. He arrived at TPC Sawgrass a day later than regularly scheduled, although he was able to get some swings in on Wednesday ahead of the main event.
“It’s better than it was,” McIlroy told reporters on Thursday, via Golfweek writer Cameron Jourdan on the X platform. “I’ve got about 20 hours before I have to tee off tomorrow, so we’ll see. I’m sort of taking it hour by hour, but it feels better.”
We’ll see if the weather holds off long enough for him to get into the swing of things on Thursday.