Austin Eckroat emerged as the leader at the PGA National event, holding a one-shot lead over Erik van Rooyen before play was suspended due to thunderstorms on Sunday. The final round of the tournament was interrupted by nearly 2 inches of rain, causing a 3 1/2-hour delay and necessitating a Monday finish.
Van Rooyen made a remarkable surge up the leaderboard with six consecutive birdies to card an 8-under 63, finishing at 14-under 270. Jake Knapp, the previous week's winner in Mexico, was 5 under through 15 holes, placing him at 13 under and in third place.
Despite the rain delay, van Rooyen expressed optimism about his performance, acknowledging the challenge of making up ground quickly. The soft course conditions provided an opportunity for low scores, with players like Billy Horschel and Keith Mitchell also in contention at 12 under.
The suspension of play occurred just before the final group was set to tee off, with safety concerns prompting the decision. Lightning strikes in the vicinity necessitated the evacuation of players and spectators until conditions improved.
Following the resumption of play, Byeong Hun An and Rory McIlroy made significant moves up the leaderboard, finishing at 10 under. The uncertainty of the weather and the potential for a Monday finish added an element of suspense to the conclusion of the tournament.
With the Seminole Pro-Am event looming on Monday morning, van Rooyen and other players faced the possibility of adjusting their schedules to accommodate the extended play at PGA National. The unique circumstances of the tournament, including the unexpected weather delays, added an extra layer of drama to the competition.
As the players regroup for the final push on Monday, the outcome of the PGA National event remains uncertain, with the leaderboard tightly packed and the potential for further shifts in position. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the opening event of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing.
