J.J. Spaun's putt to win The Players stopped heartbreakingly short of an epic victory

J.J. Spaun, the No. 57 golfer in the world, hasn't won a PGA Tour event since the 2022 Valero Open — though he's come close plenty of times since.

Two week ago he was the runner-up at the Cognizant Classic for his second Top 10 finish of the season. If Spaun finishes second at The Players on Monday, he might not be too happy about it. The Tour veteran had a 30-foot birdie putt for a walk-off win on No. 18 at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday evening, only to leave it agonizingly short.

We're talking maybe one or two full revolutions short after a perfect read.

More golf awaits tomorrow.@JJSpaun’s birdie putt on the 72nd hole comes out just short to force a playoff at @THEPLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/50rTalDgL6
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 16, 2025

That's all that stood in the way between a triumphant night for Spaun and another heartbreaking loss for Rory McIlroy.

Instead the two will face off again on Monday in a three-hole aggregate playoff — the first at The Players since 2015. Coverage begins on Golf Channel at 9 a.m. ET. Which means Spaun is going to have a very long night thinking about his missed opportunity on no. 18.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: J.J. Spaun forces playoff at The Players as final putt barely misses

Topics

Players Championship: Long par putt by J.J. Spaun preserves a one-shot lead over Bud Cauley

J.J. Spaun drained a 25-foot par putt on the final hole Saturday to preserve his one-shot lead in the third round of The Players Championship.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
J.J. Spaun takes the lead at The Players Championship on windy day that wrecked rounds

J.J. Spaun watched his 25-foot putt swirl 360 degrees around the cup and drop for par, a fitting end to a wild, windy, round-wrecking Saturday at The Players Championship that gave him a one-shot ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Spaun leads by 1 as wind wreaks havoc at Players

J.J. Spaun watched his 25-foot putt swirl 360 degrees around the cup and drop for par, a fitting end to a wild, windy Saturday at the Players Championship that gave him a one-shot lead going into ...
ESPN - 1d
The Players Championship final round tee times, how to watch: J.J. Spaun takes solo lead entering Sunday at TPC Sawgrass

J.J. Spaun is 18 holes away from what would be the biggest win of his career.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Spaun clings to one-stroke Players lead with McIlroy four back

J.J. Spaun sank a dramatic 25-foot par putt at the 18th hole to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday's blustery third round of the PGA Players Championship.Spaun two-putted for birdie from 39 feet ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
'It was fascinating': J.J. Spaun receives advantageous drop during Players final round

If Spaun goes on to win The Players, he’ll have the Rules of Golf to thank.
Yahoo Sports - 17h
Five things you need to know about 54-hole Players leader J.J. Spaun

From his skating dreams to his struggle with diabetes to now leading through three days at TPC Sawgrass, here's a look at Spaun's journey.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Varying vibes as J.J. Spaun and Rory McIlroy head to Monday Players playoff

J.J. Spaun and Rory McIlroy both played their way into a Monday playoff at The Players. That was good for one, not as much for the other.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
How to watch Monday's playoff with Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun in the 2025 Players Championship

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will be in a Monday playoff to determine the winner of The Players Championship.
Yahoo Sports - 12h

J.J. Spaun's putt to win The Players stopped heartbreakingly short of an epic victory

Topics

Related

Players Championship: Long par putt by J.J. Spaun preserves a one-shot lead over Bud Cauley

J.J. Spaun takes the lead at The Players Championship on windy day that wrecked rounds

Spaun leads by 1 as wind wreaks havoc at Players

The Players Championship final round tee times, how to watch: J.J. Spaun takes solo lead entering Sunday at TPC Sawgrass

Spaun clings to one-stroke Players lead with McIlroy four back

'It was fascinating': J.J. Spaun receives advantageous drop during Players final round

Five things you need to know about 54-hole Players leader J.J. Spaun

Varying vibes as J.J. Spaun and Rory McIlroy head to Monday Players playoff

How to watch Monday's playoff with Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun in the 2025 Players Championship

More from Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed

Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed

Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament

Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament

Red Wings Weekly News Recap: Post 2025 Trade Deadline

More in Sports

Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed

Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed

Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament

Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament

Bengals making Ja'Marr Chase NFL's highest-paid non-QB, also signing Tee Higgins to massive deal, per reports