Thomas sets target as McIlroy risks early exit at The Players

Justin Thomas increased his hopes of becoming the first back-to-back winner of The Players after setting the clubhouse target on another weather-disrupted day at TPC Sawgrass.

The PGA Tour's flagship event is already confirmed for a Monday finish after "unplayable course conditions" limited the amount of action over the first two days, while further overnight rain and thunderstorms meant the first round could not resume until midday (5pm GMT) on Saturday.

Thomas closed out a level-par 72 before carding a brilliant second-round 69 in strong winds, on a day where over half the field were unable to finish and 27 players did not even get out onto the golf course because of the earlier delays.

The former world No 1 posted three birdies in a bogey-free round to get within three strokes of the lead, with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson also in the group on three under after a round-of-the-day 68.

Tom Hoge remains in a share of the lead without playing a shot, with the American due to start his second round early on Sunday, while Tommy Fleetwood cancelled out a two-putt birdie at the second with a bogey at the third to find himself back on six under when play was suspended due to darkness.

Fleetwood will resume on the fourth hole when play continues at 8.15am (12.15pm GMT) on Sunday, where conditions are expected to be cold and windy, with PGA Tour officials hoping to play as much of the third round as possible in the hope they can get 72 holes completed by Monday evening.

McIlroy returned to finish the final three holes of his opening round, played across three days, where he made a two-putt birdie at the par-five 16th and three-putted the par-three next in strong winds to close an opening-round 73.

After a quick