With three decisive swings, Rory McIlroy secured his second Players Championship title, triumphing over J.J. Spaun in a dramatic playoff at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy’s powerful drive, precise wedge shot, and clutch 9-iron on the iconic 17th island green sealed his victory at golf’s richest event, earning him the $4.5 million winner’s prize.
The first three-hole playoff at The Players in a decade followed a rain-delayed final round on Sunday. McIlroy, who had held a three-shot lead on the back nine, had to sink a crucial 4-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to force extra holes after Spaun’s 30-foot birdie attempt stopped just inches short.
The playoff saw McIlroy:
- Blast a 336-yard drive on the par-5 16th, setting up a crucial birdie.
- Stick a pitching wedge to just inside 35 feet, keeping him in control.
- Hit a flawless 9-iron onto the 17th green, avoiding disaster in the swirling wind.
Spaun, needing a precise shot to stay alive, saw his 8-iron sail long into the water, leading to a triple bogey that ended his hopes.
“Those three swings were basically what decided the championship,” McIlroy said. “I feel for J.J. He’s had a great week. To have it end that way for him was hard to see.”
With the victory, McIlroy joins an elite group of multiple Players Championship winners, having first won in 2019. This is also the first time in his career that he has won twice before heading into the Masters, following his triumph at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month.
McIlroy now boasts 39 career wins worldwide and heads into Augusta National next month with major momentum as he seeks to complete the career Grand Slam with his first green jacket.
“I feel like I’m a better player now than I ever have been, and it’s nice to see the fruits of my labor paying off,” McIlroy added.
Despite the heartbreaking finish, Spaun’s runner-up performance earned him a $2.725 million payday and a rise to No. 25 in the world rankings, securing his first Masters invitation.
McIlroy’s Players Championship win cements his status as one of golf’s most dominant players, and with the Masters looming, all eyes will be on him as he chases history.