The sun may be shining as the 2026 Players Championship gets underway at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday morning. But sun is not the only defining weather phenomenon in Florida. It’s also infamous for its unpredictable thunderstorms.
And as the Players continues, the weather is forecasted to take a turn for the worse.
Here’s what we know about the forecast for Players Championship week.
2026 Players Championship weather forecast
There isn’t a threat of inclement weather for every round at this year’s Players Championship. But two days currently feature an ominous forecast: Thursday and Sunday.
Let’s start with Thursday’s opening round.
The first groups teed off at 7:40 a.m. ET and were treated to partly-cloudy skies, low wind and temperatures in the high-60s. That helped Max Homa, who teed off at 7:52 a.m. ET, hole-out for eagle on the 1st hole to quickly move to two under. (Homa then birdied the 2nd to take the early lead at three under, before making double at 3 to fall back to one under).
Five-way tie for lead after Day 1 at TPC Sawgrass: 2026 Players Championship Thursday updates
But the groups scheduled to tee off midday will face a very different atmosphere.
Thunderstorms are expected to roll through TPC Sawgrass between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, with the wind forecasted to pick up as well. Unlike with light rain, lightning would force an immediate suspension of play.
Star players like Rory McIlroy (1:42 p.m. ET), Jordan Spieth (1:30 p.m. ET) and Rickie Fowler (1:30 p.m. ET) all have tee times during the thunderstorm window on Thursday. That means the start of their opening rounds could be delayed.
If play is suspended for three full hours, there will likely be several players who will have to return Friday morning to complete their rounds. Scottie Scheffler, who tees off at 8:52 a.m. ET, should have a good chance to finish Round 1 on Thursday.
The players who don’t finish on Thursday could be at a distinct disadvantage come Friday.
The other round with a troubling weather forecast is Sunday’s final round.
As of this writing, the Sunday forecast at TPC Sawgrass calls for rain showers in the morning which will transition into a steady rain in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 77, with winds at 12 mph.
As long as it doesn’t rain too hard, the final round will be played without a suspension. But if it pours and water begins pooling on the course, an interruption of play on Sunday is likely.
Should that happen, there’s a chance the end of the tournament could get pushed to Monday.
The good news is that the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday at the Players is ideal. Both days are forecasted to have temperatures in the low-70s, with winds in the low-teens and no precipitation expected.
