The third round of the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational was halted by heavy rains at the Bay Hill course on Saturday, March 7.
The top PGA Tour players were called off the course at 2:53 p.m. Eastern. But it would appear it was a typical, brief Florida downpour that stopped almost as quickly as it began.
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Here’s what we know about the status of third round of play:
Was the Arnold Palmer Invitational suspended?
Yes. At 2:53 p.m., play was suspended due to inclement weather. But not even 20 minutes later, the rain slowed down and the clouds rolled away as the grounds crew began to remove the water.
When will the Arnold Palmer Invitational start again?
As of 3:10 p.m., there has not been word on when play will resume. But based on weather radar mapping, it appears that the storm would be moving along quickly.
Do golf tournaments get canceled because of rain?
If it’s just raining, no. Golfers will play through rain. However, there are two big exceptions:
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Lightning: If there is lightning in the area, play will be suspended until conditions are deemed safe. On the PGA Tour, players can also decide if conditions are unsafe.
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Pooling: If water is building up on the greens, tee boxes or fairways, play will be suspended until the water soaks into the ground or the play areas are cleared.
USGA weather policy
The USGA website says meteorology staff will be on site monitoring conditions at tournaments. The USGA weather policy has four stages of color-coded alerts:
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Blue: Weather advisory. Specific weather conditions require certain precautions.
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Yellow: Weather watch. Dangerous weather is possible.
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Orange: Weather warning. Dangerous weather is approaching. Fans should be prepared to take shelter or return to their vehicles.
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Red: Weather warning. Dangerous weather is imminent. Fans should take immediate precaution to ensure their safety. Fans must clear all grandstands.
Where to watch Arnold Palmer Invitational
Thursday, March 5
Friday, March 6
Saturday, March 7
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12:30-2:30 p.m.: Golf Channel
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2:30-6 p.m.: NBC, Peacock
Sunday, March 8
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12:30-2:30 p.m.: Golf Channel
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2:30-6 p.m.: NBC, Peacock
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Arnold Palmer Invitational rain delay: When will play resume?
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