They call it the fifth major for a reason. TPC Sawgrass, the great equalizer where golf’s elite come to test their mettle, has once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most unpredictable venues on Tour. The iconic course, with its infamous island green and unforgiving layout, shows no favoritism to anyone—not even defending champion Scottie Scheffler. As Sunday’s final round approaches, Mother Nature has decided to add another layer of drama to an already tension-filled tournament.

Due to ominous weather forecasts predicting severe afternoon storms, PGA Tour officials have decided to move up the final round tee times. Players will now begin their championship push in threesomes from both the 1st and 10th tees between 8:00 AM and 10:01 AM EDT. This adjustment aims to crown a champion before the threatening weather system, which has already caused significant damage across the southeastern United States, arrives at Ponte Vedra Beach.

Final round pairings showcase dramatic storylines

The Sunday groupings tell compelling stories of their own. In the final pairing, unexpected leader J.J. Spaun (-12) will tee off alongside the feel-good story of the tournament, Bud Cauley (-11), who’s making a remarkable comeback after a devastating 2018 car accident that required multiple surgeries. Lucas Glover completes this featured group, sitting just three shots back and looking to add another signature victory to his resume.

The 9:50 AM grouping from the first tee features one of the day’s most intriguing threesomes with Alex Smalley, Corey Conners, and Rory McIlroy, all of whom harbor realistic championship ambitions. McIlroy, despite a rollercoaster third round, remains firmly in contention at -8 and just four shots off the lead.

Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler faces a steep uphill battle from seven shots back. Paired with Sam Ryder and Min Woo Lee at 8:55 AM, Scheffler will need what he described as “something crazy” to complete an unprecedented three-peat at this prestigious event.

Here’s the complete lineup of tee times for Sunday’s final round:

So, with all these exciting pairings set to create drama on the course, how can fans catch every shot and putt of this climactic final round?

How to catch all the final-round action

Golf fans eager to witness the drama unfold have multiple viewing options, all adjusted to accommodate the early start. ESPN+ kicks off coverage at 8:00 AM ET, followed by the Golf Channel from 10:00 AM to noon ET. NBC then takes over from noon until the conclusion of the play.

For streaming enthusiasts, ESPN+ offers comprehensive coverage beginning at 7:30 AM ET, while Peacock provides a simulcast of NBC’s broadcast. The NBC Sports app also delivers coverage from early afternoon through completion.

Weather conditions will certainly factor into Sunday’s outcome. Early starters will face mostly cloudy skies and breezy conditions, with south winds at 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. As temperatures climb to around 77°F, the humidity will make for challenging playing conditions even before the threatening storm system arrives.

Which player will conquer both TPC Sawgrass and the elements to claim the coveted Players Championship trophy and the $4.5 million winner’s check? Only time will tell, but with this compressed schedule and looming weather, Sunday promises to deliver the dramatic finale this tournament deserves. Who’s your pick to win at TPC Sawgrass? Let us know in the comments below!