The rain finally cleared out on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) and the TPC Sawgrass got even more terrifying with gusts that approached 60 kph on a Stadium Course that can be punishing even in calm conditions.kevin 

Where that leaves Thomas (69) and Watson (68) won't be determined until Sunday when the second round is completed. The rain-plagued tournament is so far behind that 27 players have yet to start the second round.

Thomas and Watson shared the clubhouse lead at three-under 141. They left in a tie for 15th, and six of the players ahead of them had not finished a single hole.

Kevin Kisner reached six-under in his second round until missing a short par putt on No.4 and going from rough to water for a double bogey on the next hole. He shot 74 and was at two-under 142.

RIGHT: Justin Thomas shares the lead at The Players Championship where the second round is still yet to be completed after three days. PHOTO: David Canon/Getty Images.

Cameron Smith was the leading Australian at four-under having completed only one hole of his second round.

The course was so saturated by rain that it took 54 hours, 16 minutes from Adam Schenk hitting the opening tee shot on Thursday morning to Brendan Steele holing out early Saturday afternoon to complete the first round.

American Tom Hoge goes into Sunday with his name atop the leaderboard.

He still has played only 18 holes. He opened with a six-under 66 on Thursday and was tied with Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who was even par through three holes when play was suspended.

Those who spent more than six hours on the course on Saturday held on for dear life, especially when they came to the notorious island green on the par-3 17th.

Over two days, only four players hit into the water. On Saturday when play resumed, the first four players couldn't find the green.

By the end of the day, 29 balls had gone into the water.

The average score for the second round when play was suspended was 75.37, and it was certain to go higher Sunday morning.

The average was 75.41 for the opening round in 2007, the first year The Players was in May. The highest ever for the opening two rounds was 76.19 in 2000 when it was in March.

"Insane," Thomas said to describe the challenge.

The forecast was for temperatures in the upper 30s when play was to resume Sunday morning and wind not quite as fierce but no less challenging.