'Fairways become flumes' – Storm-lashed 2022 Players Championship golf set for Monday finish at saturated Sawgrass

The 49th Players Championship – the richest event in golf with a first prize of $3.6m (£2,746,800) – will be forced to go into a fifth day on Monday after heavy rain and storms in Florida wrecked the first two rounds at TPC Sawgrass. England's Tommy Fleetwood did not hit a shot of his second round on Friday, but continues to hold a share of the lead alongside America duo Tom Hoge and Brice Garnett, who has five holes remaining of his opening round.

Ad/> Play was abandoned at 3pm (8pm GMT) on Friday and will not resume before 11am (4pm) on Saturday with a further deluge expected overnight and strong winds also forecast in the local area. The Players Championship'Happy with my work' – Fleetwood weathers storm to lead rain-delayed Players ChampionshipYESTERDAY AT 01:08 47 players of the 144-man field have still to complete their respective first rounds as some drenched fans opted to turn the fairways into flumes amid the ongoing rain delays.

/> «We are very confident at this point – we're into a Monday finish,» said Players Championship chief referee Gary Young. «We know that.

If our calculations on everything hold together and we're able to start tomorrow, we certainly expect to be finished with the championship on Monday.» /> 'Happy with my work' – Fleetwood weathers storm to lead rain-delayed Players Championship What is the richest event in golf? Why Players Championship is worth more than the majors Players Championship 2022: Updates from Golf Digest Over five hours of play was lost on Thursday to inclement weather conditions and only four hours of play was possible on Friday after firstly being suspended around 11:15 am (4:15pm GMT) with the threat of lightning overhead. 2019 winner Rory McIlroy is one over with three