Rory McIlroy wins Sawgrass play-off after mind games flummox J.J. Spaun

Rory McIlroy held his nerve over three holes at TPC Sawgrass - AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Rory McIlroy was described by his coach as “the complete player” after sealing his second Players Championship crown in a bloodless three-hole play-off against J.J. Spaun here at the Stadium Course on Monday.

Yet while his bank manager will certainly agree with the moniker – in winning the £4.5 million first prize, McIlroy has become only the second player after Tiger Woods to pass more than $100 million in PGA Tour earnings – the Northern Irishman knows that the ultimate test will come at next month’s Masters.

If he finally “completes” the career grand slam at Augusta then nobody can deny the all-round qualities that he and his camp insists he showed here in five gruelling days in which he was not at his best, but still had the wherewithal to prove himself the best.

“He is a complete player now,” Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting guru, said. “You look at the greatest players ever, like Jack and Tiger, as they got older, they were better and smarter players. When Rory was younger, he won by driving the ball so much better than everyone else. But had a poor driving day in round one, he had a poor putting round on Saturday…and still got it done. The point is that Rory can now do it in many different ways and that is lost when it comes to people saying that Rory is one-dimensional.”

Rory McIlroy wins The Players on St Patrick's Day! 🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/OQ3eAIFahz
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 17, 2025

McIlroy, himself, was not about to laud himself to those lengths, but he was too thrilled not to acknowledge the advances in his attributes. “I feel like I’m a way more complete player than I was a few years ago,” he said, alluding to his inability to cope in the gusts at Augusta last year. “I am confident that I can play in all conditions and perform well in anything that comes my way. That little nine-iron into 17… well, I said to Harry [Diamond, his caddie] ‘that little shot will take us a long way’.”

It should carry him down Magnolia Lane in three weeks’ time with the self-belief soaring that he appears more primed to don that elusive Green Jacket than ever before. Too much significance can be ascribed to a single swing – and, in truth, despite the brutal conditions, Spaun was awful in the shootout – but the importance of this particular motion can not be overstated. And not just because it was key to prevailing in the play-off he dared not lose after being three shots up with five to play on Sunday.

McIlroy was simply unable to conjure this type of shot; not in competition anyway. With the wind howling against him, McIlroy chose to take a “knocked-down” nine-iron, taking off 30 or 40 yards with a protracted backswing. It was hardly a stunning return, as his ball came to rest 30 feet from the pin, but it was to be the title-winning moment.

Spaun, who could only make par to McIlroy’s birdie on the par-five 16th, was confused, and peered into McIIroy’s bag to see which club his rival had employed. Spaun was convinced that he might require an eight-iron on the capricious 130-yarder, but watched in horror as it flew the green. McIlroy’s matchplay intelligence was the difference and Spaun’s triple-bogey ensured the play-off was essentially over.

J.J. Spaun makes a drop on the 17th — J.J. Spaun was forced to take a drop on the second hole of the play-off after going in the drink off the tee, which effectively ended his chances - Getty Images/Jared C Tilton

The American bogeyed the last, meaning he was four over to McIlroy’s one-over – as the adrenaline flooded out of his system, he three-putted the 17th and bogeyed the 18th – and 34-year-old will surely always rue the fact that his birdie putt to win in regulation in the gloaming on Sunday night was perhaps only one rotation of the ball from causing a huge shock and McIlroy yet more scar tissue.

J.J. Spaun is in the drink at the 17th! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/MsAyFzKBey
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 17, 2025

But the self-confirmed journeyman could console himself with the $2,725,000 runner’s-up cheque and a leap to 25th in the world rankings that means he will make his Masters debut.

With Scottie Scheffler in indifferent form, McIlroy could be favourite by the time that opening round of the season’s first major comes around on April 10. Regardless of his previous woes between those cathedral pines, he deserves to be. He has won two of his past four tournaments – three of his past six – and, for the first time, will arrive in Georgia already boasting a couple of victories on his seasonal resume.

McIlroy’s all-time standing has risen as well. He is the first European to have multiple triumphs in the PGA Tour’s flagship event and joins Nicklaus, Woods and Scheffler as golfers who have multiple major victories and multiple Players successes. “That’s a nice club to be a part of,” McIlroy said.

After a Masters prep event in either Houston or San Antonio, his mission will be to join an even more illustrious set. Only Woods, Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen have the clean sweep on majors, but listening to McIlroy list the improvements he believes he has made in the last year made it ever so tempting to be encouraged that the ducks are at last in a row.

“I’m a better putter, better around the greens. I can flight my ball better in the wind, I can now shape shots both ways, I’m managing myself more around the course better,” McIlroy said. “Look, by no means did I have my best stuff this week, but I was still able to win one of the biggest tournaments in the world. That’s huge.”

02:33 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings to an end our coverage of Rory McIlroy’s Player Championship victory as he got the better of JJ Spaun in a three-shot play-off for the title.

The world No 2 becomes the first European to win The Players multiple times as he wins his second PGA title of the season.

Thanks for joining us!

02:31 PM GMT

‘I need to be better if I want to compete with Scheffler’, says McIlroy

With Scottie Scheffler winning The Players in 2023 and 2024 and claiming eight titles last year, McIlroy says: “Seeing what Scottie did last year, going back to back...

“Scottie has been on an unbelievable run and inspired all of us to try to be better. I need to be better if I want to compete with him.

“I’ve knuckled down - I’ve worked hard. It’s nice to tie him with this [a second Players title], and Tiger and the five others that have won this multiple times.

“I went home last night thinking I should have had this. I reset. I had not a great night’s sleep but made the swings I needed to today.”

02:28 PM GMT

McIlroy lifts the trophy

"Rory, the trophy is yours." pic.twitter.com/4e1ih5mNqS
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 17, 2025

02:25 PM GMT

McIlroy won in ‘a different way this week’

With McIlroy’s driving not up to the usual standard this week, he said: “I did it a different way this week. I had to putt well. I needed to chip well. I saw way too much of the pine straw.

“But I feel if one part of my game isn’t there, I have other parts to bail me out and it’s a really nice feeling to have that in my golf game.”

02:22 PM GMT

‘Proud of my body of work’, says McIlroy

Discussing the context of this win in his career, Rory McIlroy says: “I’m really proud of my body of work. I turned pro in 2007 and my first season on the PGA Tour was in 2009. I’ve tried to get better every year and I feel like I’m continuing trying to do that.

“The younger guys coming out are getting better every single year and I need to keep working hard to hang with them. I’m doing a pretty good job of that.

“I feel like I’ve still got a few years left in the tank.”

02:15 PM GMT

The champ

Rory McIlroy after winning The Players Championship - AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Rory McIlroy lifts the Players Championship trophy - AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

02:12 PM GMT

Monahan congratulates ‘outstanding’ McIlroy

Speaking at the presentation, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says: “Now to our champion. He is the eighth player to win this multiple times.

“He’s had a remarkable run. This is the second time he’s won the championship on St Patrick’s Day. I think he had every intention of pushing it to Monday so he could do just that.

“Congratulations on an outstanding performance.”

02:08 PM GMT

Trophy presentation

Rory McIlroy has now been presented with the golden trophy, which he will be delighted to get his hands on for a second time.

Rory McIlroy during a trophy ceremony - AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

02:07 PM GMT

‘I hit it too good’, says Spaun

Discussing his tee shot which landed in the water on the 17th, JJ Spaun said: “I was committed to the club, committed to the shot shape I was trying to hit.

“We were getting numbers on the range and (with) literally the same wind direction, it was flying like 128 yards, so it was the perfect club and I hit it I guess just too good, it went right through the wind.

“I almost was telling it in my head to get up, it looked like it was kind of floating. When we didn’t see a ball land I thought maybe it was in the front bunker and Gary told me it was in the water.

“I hit a great shot, I did what I needed to do it just didn’t work out in my favour.”

02:02 PM GMT

Warm handshake between the players

Rory McIlroy gives JJ Spaun a warm handshake on the 18th green and no doubt has words of encouragement after an incredible week from the American. Spaun still takes home a prize of $2.7m as McIlroy bags $4.5m.

02:00 PM GMT

‘I feel bad for JJ’, says McIlroy

Discussing the conditions, McIlroy said: “I’m just glad we didn’t have to play 18 in that. Three was enough.”

On his opponent and his own performance, he said: “I feel bad for JJ. He hit a really good shot on 17 and it just went straight through the wind, I was lucky to do enough to get it done.

“Unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players Championship and I think its the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day, so its been a good luck charm for me.”

01:56 PM GMT

Title number 28

McIlroy wins his 28th career title on the PGA Tour as he registers his 16th win after trailing heading into the final round.

01:54 PM GMT

McIlroy in form for Augusta

Great shot from Mcilroy into the 18th to secure his second Players Championship crown. Becomes the first European to win the PGA Tour’s flagship event on multiple occasions. Goes into the Masters with two PGA Tour wins in 2025. Never done that before. Portents look very good.

01:50 PM GMT

McIlroy wins the Players Championship!

McIlroy +1, Spaun +3

Spaun’s putt takes him within five or six feet before McIlroy goes just wide as he looks to finish on a par and he will have to settle for a bogey on this final hole.

He does finish it off on his fifth shot and the title is his! It’s been a comfortable morning of work for the world No 2.

He becomes the first European to be a mutiple-winner of the Players as he wins his second PGA title of the season.

He also wins a second title in a season before April’s Masters for the first time in his career.

Rory McIlroy wins The Players on St Patrick's Day! 🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/OQ3eAIFahz
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 17, 2025

01:46 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun +3

Both players find the green, but McIlroy far closer to the hole with a delightful approach shot and the title is all but his. Spaun is over to the left, about 70 feet from the hole.

It has been a procession for the Northern Irishman.

01:45 PM GMT

Embarrassing now for Spaun

This is embarrassing now for Spaun. That stone-cold top summed up his morning.

01:42 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun +3

Spaun is 222 yards from the hole but with a pretty good lie. It’s a tricky low, fading shot required from the American under the trees and while he tops it a bit, he does manage to get out onto the fairway.

For McIlroy it’s a simple chip-out and he lands a few yards to the left of Spaun. It is surely wrapped up now.

01:37 PM GMT

Mind games from McIlroy

Interesting comments from Brad Faxon, McIlroy’s putting coach, saying that the Northern Irishman purposefully played a nine-iron “down” on the 17th, taking off some the distance to fool Spaun.

The American looked in McIlroy’s bag and seemed confused. Then overcooked it and even though McIlroy three-putted, Spaun’s triple-bogey hands him a three-shot lead going down the 18th. Stay dry, fly home, next stop Augusta.

01:36 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun +3

On to hole 18 and a par four. Again it’s McIlroy to tee of first, into the wind and it’s in the trees on the right. It’s all about the chip-out then.

Spaun steps up as he looks to keep his hopes alive but he’s also out to the right. Not the best shot from either player but they both avoid the water down the left.

01:34 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun +3

Spaun misses the putt from 10ft and eventually tidies up for a triple-bogey.

McIlroy also misses his putt, up the green and has to settle for the bogey. He has a three-shot lead though heading into hole 18.

01:32 PM GMT

McIlroy -1, Spaun E

Spaun chips himself within putting distance for the double-bogey.

But McIlroy has a charge for a birdie putt now, though he will be wary of pace heading down towards the water.

He doesn’t give it much but it still roles past the hole and a few feet beyond it.

01:27 PM GMT

That should be that

And that should be that. Spaun has looked nervy from the start here this morning and puts his first ball in the water of the week on the 17th. Even if he gets away with a bogey, McIlroy should enjoy a two-shot lead going to the 18th.

01:27 PM GMT

McIlroy -1, Spaun E

Replays show Spaun glancing in the bag of McIlroy before that one. Perhaps he used the wrong club after seeing what his opponent used.

89 yards from the hole, Spaun finds the green now but it rolls back and he’s left himself a tricky 42ft putt just for a bogey.

01:24 PM GMT

McIlroy -1, Spaun E

Up next is hole 17 and it’s a par three, with McIlroy up first. The 20mph winds are complicating this one today. The pin is tucked at the bottom corner of the green.

It’s ideal from McIlroy who finds the green, above the hole with a terrific tee shot.

The pressure is on Spaun now and he’s in the water! His shot drifts just to the right and goes a bit long of the green.

01:19 PM GMT

McIlroy -1, Spaun E

Spaun is putting up the hill on the green and lands a foot or two shot.

McIlroy looks to finish off this hole and puts it away well from a few feet away for a birdie. Strong start.

Spaun finishes off for par from close range. Advantage McIlroy.

01:16 PM GMT

Great crowd despite Monday action

The wind is blowing and it is at his back. But still, to hit a 521-yarder with a drive and a wedge? McIlroy in the middle of the green, with Spaun in the bunker. Great crowd here, seeing as it is a Monday, it is St Patrick’s Day and there could only be three holes. Spaun looks very nervous.

01:15 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun E

From the bunker, it’s not the best of shots from Spaun that sees him find the green but pretty short of the hole.

McIlroy is putting downhill on the green, 34ft from the hole for the eagle. It goes wide to the left and a few feet long and there is work to do.

01:12 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun E

From the rough and over 200 yards from the hole, Spaun takes on a really brave shot and finds the bunker, very close to the water on the right. It’s not a bad lay though, just short of the green.

It’s a nine-iron for Rory and he finds the green. Another excellent shot from the world No 2 who has an early advantage.

01:08 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun E

The players have a different breeze from the northeast today compared with the rest of the weekend. It meant the players were driving downwind on this hole but it could complicate matters on the 17th.

01:06 PM GMT

McIlroy E, Spaun E

A reminder the 16th is a par five. McIlroy steps up first and it’s a perfectly-struck drive down the middle, well down the fairway.

Spaun naturally doesn’t find the distance that McIlroy does but it’s not very well hit either as it lands in the first cut of rough down the right so work to do on this hole for the American.

01:03 PM GMT

Play starting shortly

The players have arrived and they are now being talked through the rules, which I’m sure they are aware of.

Given McIlroy finished first yesterday it will be the Northern Irishman to tee off first from the 16th.

01:02 PM GMT

McIlroy looking for statement win before Augutsa

McIlroy is hoping to win his second title of the season prior to April’s Masters, something he has never done before.

Victory today will be the perfect statement for the 35-year-old before he looks to complete the career Grand Slam at Augusta.

12:59 PM GMT

The three holes to tackle

Hole 16 - A par five, flanked by water, but playing as the easiest hole this week.
Hole 17 - An iconic par three, which has seen plenty of contenders find the water.
Hole 18 - A tricky par four, which Rory McIlroy birded on days one, two and three.

Should they be level after the three holes, it will be a case of sudden death matchplay from the 17th.

12:54 PM GMT

How we ended up with a play-off

McIlroy started Sunday four shots back from Spaun, but after a birdie on the first and an eagle on the second, he was almost immediately within touching distance of the American. A birdie on the 11th saw the Northern Irishman take the lead before play was suspended because of the risk of lightning.

As play got back underway four hours later, the world No 2 quickly established a three-shot lead at the 12th and looked set to take home the trophy and the £3.5 million first prize, but missed birdie chances at the 15th and 16th opened the door for Spaun.

The world No 57 displayed great composure on the greens in the latter stages to bring himself level and went close to snatching the title when his birdie putt from 31 feet on the 18th green stopped inches short of the hole.

McIlroy misses a birdie putt on the 15th hole, he remains one shot clear 🚨 pic.twitter.com/T5BbA5rbQw
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 16, 2025

12:51 PM GMT

Will McIlroy’s experience pay off?

Rory McIlroy has spoken of how his extra experience compared to JJ Spaun could be crucial in this afternoon’s play-off.

The Northern Irishman has 27 career wins compared to the single win for the American.

He has also been involved in five play-offs, winning three of those, while this will be Spaun’s first taste of one.

Rory McIlroy on the 14th hole on Sunday - Getty Images /David Cannon

12:46 PM GMT

At stake for the players

McIlroy is going for his second Players title, after victory in 2019, as well as his second victory on the PGA Tour this season, having triumphed at the Pebble Beach Pro-am in February.

In doing so he would become Europe’s first multiple winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

McIlroy is also looking to win his second title of the season prior to April’s Masters, something he has never done before.

Meanwhile, Spaun is hoping to win just his second-ever PGA Tour title in what would be a career-changing victory for the 34-year-old.

At stake for the winner is a £3.5 million prize.

12:41 PM GMT

McIlroy’s bizarre interaction to start the weekend

Playing a practice round in his preparations for the PGA Tour’s flagship event, Rory McIlroy pulled a drive into the water on the 18th, an error that was greeted by a discernible remark of “just like in Augusta in 2011”.

It was a reference to his infamous final-round capitulation and his wild hook on the 10th that precipitated the collapse and understandably the Northern Irishman did not see the humour.

After reloading, he turned and calmly strode towards his abuser, before asking to see his phone. The youth looked stunned and duly handed it over to McIlroy who then walked away with the mobile.

It was later revealed that the miscreant is a highly-rated amateur, who on Monday won a big college event at the nearby Sawgrass Country Club.

Luke Potter, 20, is tipped to be on Tour in a few years’ time and that could lead to an awkward encounter with McIlroy after he was ejected from the grounds here.

Potter has sent an apology to McIlroy, as well as to Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. Read the full piece on this bizarre incident here.

Texas golfer shouted "just like 2011 at Augusta" after Rory hit it in the water on his first ball and after his second shot Rory did this. What a crash out 😂 @stoolpresidente @ziregolf pic.twitter.com/UtHdO4UNOg
— Ganix Gabinus (@gabinus_ganix) March 12, 2025

12:36 PM GMT

The format of the play-off

It will be a three-hole aggregate play-off, taking place across the par-five 16th, par-three 17th and par-four 18th, with sudden death then used if needed.

It marks the first play-off at The Players since Rickie Fowler’s win in 2015 and the first Monday finish since Cameron Smith’s 2022 victory.

12:30 PM GMT

McIlroy needing to ‘do it the hard way’

Speaking to Sky Sports following Sunday’s action, Rory McIlroy said: “It’s been a long day. I got off to a great start before play was halted. And once we got back out there, I made the perfect start again with a birdie at 12.

“On the way in, I feel like I gave myself chances to close the door and win this golf tournament - and I didn’t quite do that. I’m going to have to do it the hard way, stay one more night and try to do it tomorrow.

“There’s not many multiple Players champions. Scottie [Scheffler] has won the last two years... and I’ve spoken a lot about how much I admire Scottie - it would be nice to get two like him, and two like Tiger [Woods]. But I have to put that out of my head, play three good holes in the morning and hopefully that’s enough.”

McIlroy also told reporters: “I’d like to think that I can fall back on my experience and maybe have a little bit more than JJ. Tomorrow is all just about execution and getting up there and making five good swings.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 18th green - Getty Images /Jared C. Tilton

12:25 PM GMT

McIlroy pars the 18th

McIlroy’s round came to an end as he shot par on the 18th – it caught the edge though and the Northern Irishman shook his head in relief as it dropped.

Rory McIlroy makes par on the 18th and finishes on -12 🚨

It's now down to J. J. Spaun 👀 pic.twitter.com/FBXxvRISAO
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 16, 2025

12:19 PM GMT

‘Most pressure I’ve ever been under’, says Spaun

Spaun, speaking to Sky Sports: “This amount of pressure is the most I’ve ever been under, so to really fight through the adversity on the front nine and hit some clutch shots and make some good birdies coming in, it gives me that boost of confidence that I need.

“I definitely need some birdies [tomorrow]. He [Rory] is a great player and is going to be tough to beat... but this final stretch of 16, 17 and 18, anything can happen. I’m just happy to have a chance at it tomorrow.”

JJ Spaun reacts as his birdie putt on the 18th green stops just short of the hole - Getty Images/Richard Heathcote

12:12 PM GMT

Spaun’s agonisingly short final putt

After coming from behind, Spaun went agonisingly close to snatching the title on Sunday when his birdie putt from 31 feet on the 18th green stopped just inches short of the hole.

Within a whisker of the win! 😮

J.J. Spaun came this close to winning The Players, he will now enter a three-hole play-off tomorrow against Rory McIlroy ⛳ pic.twitter.com/hIEH7IOZZz
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 16, 2025

12:05 PM GMT

Preview: McIlroy faces Spaun in Players title play-off

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Players Championship as Rory McIlroy takes on JJ Spaun at TPC Sawgrass in a three-hole play-off for the title. After a marathon Sunday of golf in Florida, with play delayed by four hours for lightning, the pair eventually finished level at 12 under.

McIlroy is going for his second Players title, after victory in 2019, as well as his second victory on the PGA Tour this season, having triumphed at the Pebble Beach Pro-am in February. Meanwhile, Spaun is hoping to win just his second-ever PGA Tour title in what would be a career-changing victory for the 34-year-old.

McIlroy is hoping to win his second title of the season prior to April’s Masters, something he has never done before, and victory this weekend at the 51st iteration of the PGA Tour’s flagship event will be the perfect statement for the 35-year-old before he looks to complete the career Grand Slam at Augusta.

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