Play was halted at the Players Championship after a storm soaked TPC Sawgrass during the first round. The horn was blown as the morning group of competitors were in the early stages of their back nine. The skies unleashed, and with lightning nearby, players were instructed to cease play.

PGA Tour officials advised players to remain in place, sheltering under umbrellas in the hope of a quick restart, which proved to be the right decision, with the horn sounding again to recommence play 21 minutes later. It marked an eventful beginning to the tournament, with Collin Morikawa forced to withdraw after one hole.

“The first round of The Players Championship resumed at 12:30 p.m., a delay of 21 minutes,” the PGA Tour announced in a statement. “Tee times for the afternoon wave are delayed 30 minutes.”

Current FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood is the early frontrunner at TPC Sawgrass, leading by one stroke at five-under-par through 11 holes at the time of the interruption.

Maverick McNealy is in second place at four-under, with Viktor Hovland trailing by a stroke through 10 holes in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Fleetwood is paired with Justin Thomas and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who are one under and even-par for the day, respectively.

McIlroy only touched down at Sawgrass on Wednesday afternoon after remaining at home for treatment on the muscle problem, and he has not completed a full practice round.

The defending Players champion managed a gentle range session on Wednesday afternoon before navigating a few holes with a wedge and a putter to gauge the greens.

McIlroy indicated he would make a “game-time decision” regarding his participation in the tournament, and an additional 30 minutes in the treatment room could prove crucial for his chances of competing.

Earlier in the day, Morikawa withdrew after sustaining a back injury of his own. After making par at his opener, the 10th, Morikawa tweaked his back in a practice swing on the 11th tee and was obliged to call it a day.

Ryan Fox also withdrew ahead of his tee time due to illness.