The final round of the 2024 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was heavily delayed by inclement weather in the area, so much so that the first event of the Florida Swing will feature a Monday finish.
Play was suspended due to lightning in the area at 12:49 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon and the course quickly became unplayable after a downpour of rain flooded greens and fairways. The practice range was re-opened shortly after 3 p.m. ET as officials continued to gauge when players could return to action. There was a tornado warning for Palm Beach County Sunday afternoon, but not in the Palm Beach Gardens area.
Mother Nature was the only thing keeping Erik van Rooyen from making birdies in Sunday’s final round as the 34-year-old South African started his round with six consecutive birdies before adding two more on Nos. 8 and 10 to move into the lead at 14 under before play was stopped. Van Rooyen shot a tournament-record 7-under 28 on the front nine and was 8 under for the day in the 12th fairway when the horn blew to pause play.
The three players tied for the lead at 13 under – Shane Lowry, Austin Eckroat and David Skinns – were about 50 minutes away from starting the round when play was stopped. The last Monday finish at the Cognizant was in 2015, when Padraig Harrington beat Daniel Berger in a playoff. The delayed finish may also impact Monday’s star-studded Pro-Member at Seminole Golf Club in nearby Juno Beach, Florida.
Photos: Weather delays Cognizant Classic
Contributing: Craig Dolch, Palm Beach Post
2024 Cognizant Classic
Peter Malnati exits the course with his caddy as thunderstorm canceled play at the final round…
Peter Malnati exits the course with his caddy as thunderstorm canceled play at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Golfers and fans hurry off the course during a thunderstorm that canceled play at the final…
Golfers and fans hurry off the course during a thunderstorm that canceled play at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Rickie Fowler grabs his umbrella after teeing of on the first hole at the final round…
Rickie Fowler grabs his umbrella after teeing of on the first hole at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Nick Dunlap rides back to the clubhouse during a thunderstorm canceled play at the final round…
Nick Dunlap rides back to the clubhouse during a thunderstorm canceled play at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans seek shelter from the weather during a thunderstorm that canceled play at the final round…
Fans seek shelter from the weather during a thunderstorm that canceled play at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans leave run for cover during a thunderstorm at the final round of The Cognizant Classic…
Fans leave run for cover during a thunderstorm at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans seek shelter behind the 9th green during a thunderstorm at the final round of The…
Fans seek shelter behind the 9th green during a thunderstorm at the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 1, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Golf carts used to bring golfers in from the course are parked at the players locker…
Golf carts used to bring golfers in from the course are parked at the players locker room facility during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Heavy rains postponed play as puddles form on the 18th green complex during the final round…
Heavy rains postponed play as puddles form on the 18th green complex during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Heavy rains postponed play as puddles form on the 18th fairway during the final round of…
Heavy rains postponed play as puddles form on the 18th fairway during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
The ninth fairway remains flooded as heavy rain continues to fall during the final round of…
The ninth fairway remains flooded as heavy rain continues to fall during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans leave as the rain continues to fall over the course during the final round of…
Fans leave as the rain continues to fall over the course during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans leave as the rain continues to fall over the course during the final round of…
Fans leave as the rain continues to fall over the course during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans wait for a group to tee off at the 17th hole during the opening round…
Fans wait for a group to tee off at the 17th hole during the opening round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on Thursday, February 29, 2024, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
2024 Cognizant Classic
Golfers are evacuated from the course as lightning popped up in the area during the final…
Golfers are evacuated from the course as lightning popped up in the area during the final round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
2024 Cognizant Classic
Fans walk from the course after the horn was blown ending play due to lighting and…
Fans walk from the course after the horn was blown ending play due to lighting and dangerous weather in the area during the final round of The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort And Spa on March 03, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
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