Rory McIlroy clinches his second Players Championship title outlasting JJ Spaun over a dramatic three-hole playoff - after the American found the water on the infamous 17th hole

Rory McIlroy outlasted JJ Spaun over a three-hole playoff to win his second Players Championship title on Monday morning. 

Spaun faced a tough moment when his tee shot at the 17th hole went long over the green and landed in the water. This mistake proved costly for him as he was already trailing behind McIlroy by a shot on the 16th hole.

Rory McIlroy clinched his 28th PGA Tour victory, marking his second win of the year. The 35-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland has been showcasing excellent form leading up to the upcoming Masters tournament, following his earlier triumph at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.

‘I’ve worked really hard, I feel like I’m more of a complete player now,’ McIlroy said.

‘I feel like I can play in all conditions and anything that comes my way. I’m really happy I was able to get it done today.

Expressing his satisfaction, McIlroy mentioned, ‘I take pride in the progress I’ve made over the years. I strive to improve constantly. The younger players are advancing each year, and I’m committed to keeping pace with them. I believe I still have some great years of golf ahead of me.’

Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title and his second PGA Tour win of the season on Monday morning

Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title and his second PGA Tour win of the season on Monday morning

The Northern Irishman beat JJ Spaun (pictured) over a three-hole play-off, with the American finding the water on the par-three 17th 

 

 It is McIlroy’s 28th PGA Tour title and second this year, with the 35-year-old Northern Irishman coming into a brilliant vein of form three weeks out from this year’s Masters

The 35-year-old was also pressed on whether he felt his best golf was still ahead of him, to which he replied resolutely: ‘Absolutely. 

‘I don’t think I should be out here if i didn’t think my best golf was in front of me. It’s the reason why I’m still out here doing it.’  

It was a tough ending to a brilliant week for Spaun, who was chasing his second PGA Tour victory and was also playing in the first playoff of his career. 

‘I feel for J.J,’ McIlroy said. ‘He’s had a great week. To have it end that way for him was hard to see.

‘But he’s playing great, and I’m sure he’s got some really good things coming up.’

Spaun, the 2022 Valero Texas Open winner, had the chance to clinch the tournament on Sunday with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th but couldn’t slide the shot home, with the world No 57 agonisingly leaving his putt short, before tapping in for par to take the tournament to a playoff. 

But the playoff was perhaps a disappointing end to his time at Sawgrass, with the American star impressing this week. 

It was a tough defeat for Spaun (left) who was competing in only his first-ever play-off and for his second PGA Tour title

It was a tough defeat for Spaun (left) who was competing in only his first-ever play-off and for his second PGA Tour title

With 20mph hours swirling above the 17th hole, Spaun clubbed up to an eight-iron and sent his ball long over the green into the water

With 20mph hours swirling above the 17th hole, Spaun clubbed up to an eight-iron and sent his ball long over the green into the water 

‘It was the perfect club on 17th,’ Spaun said when pressed on whether he had clubbed up too much on 17. ‘I just hit it too good. I hit a great shot but it did not work out in my favour.

‘It’s hard to not feel discouraged a bit but I have to take the positives.

‘If you had said I was going to be in a playoff to win, I would have taken that. I just have to take the positves.’

Inclement weather forced a halt to proceedings on Sunday afternoon, with PGA Tour bosses suspending play for four hours, with McIlroy and Spaun finding themselves tied at the top of the leaderboard at 12-under par, following 72 holes of golf.

The sun shined down on TPC Sawgrass after stormy conditions swept through Florida yesterday but a cold 20mph wind caused issues for both players as they made their way around the 16th, 17th and 18th holes.

McIlroy got off to a rocky start on the 16th, teeing off first but landed a monster drive right next to a divot on the fairway. 

It would though, not prove too much of a problem for the six-time Race to Dubai winner, who pitched a nine-iron onto the green on the par-five before tapping in for a birdie while Spaun tapped in for par.

McIlroy was composed, taking a shot lead on Spaun after the 16th hole before going on to play a brilliant tee-shot on the 17th and a stunning approach on the 18th to set himself up for the win

McIlroy was composed, taking a shot lead on Spaun after the 16th hole before going on to play a brilliant tee-shot on the 17th and a stunning approach on the 18th to set himself up for the win

It meant that McIlroy took the honour heading onto the tee at the infamous par-three 17th. While the wind swirled into the faces of both players, the four-time major winner dropped his ball onto the heart of the green with a terrific tee shot.

With the pressure on, Spaun could not respond. Sending his tee shot into the drink before chipping on from the drop zone.

McIlroym, though, was errant with his putter which was perhaps not indicative of his week with the flat stick. He sent his birdie putt long past the hole and couldn’t slide his next in for par. Spuan would go on to card a treble bogey.

With a three-shot lead going into the 18th, McIlroy sliced his drive long and right into the trees on the right of the lake, while Spaun followed, sending his tee-shot into the patrons on the right flank of the fairway.

McIlroy then dropped a 134-yard approach onto the green, before two-putting to card a bogey on the last to win the Players Championship.

Taking inspiration from Scottie Scheffler

McIlroy now joins the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler to become one of eight players to win multiple Players Championship titles.

Having watched Scheffler demolish the field in 2024, picking up nine victories and back-to-back Players Championship titles, McIlroy admitted he had felt inspired by the world No 1. 

‘It is really nice to win, seeing what Scottie did last year going back to back has really inspired a lot of us to be better,’ McIlroy said.

‘I’m unbelievably proud. I went home yesterday thinking I should have had this in the bag but I reset and got it done today.

‘I did it a different way this week – I had to chip well and putt well and a lot of good recovery shots.

‘It is a great feeling to know that different parts of my game can bail me out when I need it.

More to follow… 

You May Also Like
Missing American in Dominican Republic: Key witness asks court to end de facto house arrest

An American is missing in the Dominican Republic: a crucial witness requests the court to lift the unofficial home detention.

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Attorneys for Iowa 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, the…
New pictures, clues amid search for missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki in Dominican Republic; witness' passport taken

Fresh photos and leads discovered in the quest for locating Sudiksha Konanki, a missing student from Pitt in the Dominican Republic; passport of a witness confiscated

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic are now…
Alaska Man Monday - Refreezing, Denali, and the Iditarod

Exciting events in Alaska: Iditarod champion, impressive children, a foolish criminal, and risks of volcanic activity

First: We have an Iditarod winner, and it’s his first win in…
The Bachelor: Grant tells one woman that he loves her during 'Fantasy Suites' week

During ‘Fantasy Suites’ week on The Bachelor, Grant expresses his love to a contestant

NEW YORK — This week, Fantasy Suites were on the agenda for…
Who Do Fans Think Will Die In ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3? The Biggest Fan Theories

Predictions on Which Characters Might Meet Their Demise in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’ – Popular Fan Theories

As The White Lotus Season 3 ramps up towards its season finale,…
Trump 'voids' Biden's pardons after ex president used autopen signature and moves to investigate Fauci and Cheney

Trump cancels Biden’s pardons signed using autopen, launches inquiry into Fauci and Cheney

Former President Donald Trump asserted that the recent pardons issued by his…
Storm deaths | Brothers Joshua, Josiah Leviskia die after tree falls, splits trailer in half during storm in North Carolina

Tragic Loss of Brothers Joshua and Josiah Leviskia as Tree Falls on Trailer in North Carolina Storm

In North Carolina’s Transylvania County, Sheriff Chuck Owenby confirmed that two children…
Monday Morning Minute: Kiss Me, I'm Irish

“The Luck of the Irish: Monday Morning Minute”

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  It is uncertain whether Trump’s…
Terror group shares sick cryptic video after Trump vowed to unleash hell on them

“Terror group releases disturbing mysterious video following Trump’s threat of strong retaliation”

Houthi rebels in Yemen have shared an offensive animation depicting American flags…
PepsiCo buys prebiotic soda brand Poppi to gain a foothold in functional drinks

PepsiCo acquires Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, to enter the functional drinks market

PepsiCo said Monday it’s acquiring the prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95…
Crestwood murder: Court records reveal Josif Suclea's alleged back-pay murder plot against ATG Truckload CEO Dane Koteski

New Details Emerge in Crestwood Murder Case: Josif Suclea Accused of Planning to Kill ATG Truckload CEO Dane Koteski over Unpaid Wages

The court records revealed potential hints about why the CEO of a…
The secret fashion rule Trump insiders must abide by if they want to remain in the President's good graces

Fashion Rule Insiders in the Trump Administration Must Follow to Stay in the President’s Favor

Hemlines, necklines and custom couture are usually the fields that fashion followers…