The playoff lasted just three holes, requiring only three swings from Rory McIlroy. Yet, his triumph over JJ Spaun in The Players Championship shed light on the condition of his game and the unforgiving challenge that is TPC Sawgrass.
McIlroy secured an early advantage over Spaun with his finest drive of the week, which set up an easy birdie, followed by a smooth three-quarter 9-iron into the brisk wind that landed beautifully on the iconic island green at the par-3 17th.
“I didn’t play my best game this week by any means,” McIlroy remarked after becoming the eighth golfer to win The Players Championship multiple times. “However, I still managed to claim one of the biggest tournaments in the world. That’s a significant achievement.”
This victory marks the first occasion in his career where he has won twice ahead of the Masters, the major tournament that for over ten years has eluded him and prevented him from achieving a career grand slam.
Spaun believed he had responded perfectly until his 8-iron soared over the island on the second playoff hole, dashing his dreams of a career-defining win.
“Can I see this?” Spaun asked as he sat at a table, glued to a screen in the media centre replaying his tee shot on the 17th. It was the first time he saw where the ball landed — just beyond the wooden boundary and into the water. He had only heard the disappointment from the crowd.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after winning a playoff round of The Players Championship. AP
Even he couldn’t quite believe it.
“I never thought it was too long,” he murmured. “I never thought it was too long.”
This week at golf’s richest tournament – boasting a total prize purse of $40 million, with around $7 million for the winner – was one to remember, as thousands braved the cold and wind for 47 minutes of intense competition between McIlroy, a celebrated player with 39 worldwide victories, and Spaun, a 34-year-old with only one PGA Tour title, who had never previously shot under 70 at TPC Sawgrass.
McIlroy mentioned he was awake at 3am and couldn’t return to sleep. Whether it was the aim to win or the pressure not to lose — having held a three-shot lead with five holes to play in the final round — was irrelevant.
He practised his tee shot using the same wind advantage on the right. To prepare for the 17th hole, McIlroy hit balls from the range towards the third green.
Throughout the week, McIlroy’s performance off the tee had been inconsistent, missing nearly half of his fairways. He set the early tone with his best drive, a 336-yard shot right down the centre that positioned him for a pitching wedge from 176 yards into the par-5 16th, leading to a two-putt birdie from 35 feet.
“I thought if I could find the fairway there, it would put a bit of pressure on JJ,” he explained. “Making that swing was fantastic.”
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses for a photo with the trophy after defeating JJ Spaun. Getty
Then, it all but concluded on the 17th.
“As soon as my ball was airborne, I was urging it to get down,” McIlroy recounted.
Spaun struck his 8-iron with a high trajectory, battling the strong wind from the right, and immediately felt compelled to shout, “Get up.”
“It just seemed like it was going to be short,” Spaun reflected. “I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it carried long. I was happy with my swing — I truly was. The wind must have calmed just enough, and the ball simply flew through it. It just wasn’t my time.”
This playoff, the first at The Players in a decade, was a result of a four-hour rain delay on Monday. McIlroy had to sink a critical 4-foot par putt on the 72nd hole, while Spaun’s 30-foot birdie attempt for the win came to halt mere inches from the hole.
Despite being disheartened from relinquishing a three-shot lead on the back nine, McIlroy looked towards the playoff, stating, “Just make five solid swings tomorrow morning and wrap this up.”
Ultimately, he required just three — the driver and wedge on No. 16, plus the 9-iron on No. 17 — to outlast Spaun and secure the $4.5 million from the $25 million prize pot.
This playoff echoed a memorable 2008 battle between Sergio Garcia and Paul Goydos when the 17th was utilised for sudden death. Garcia hit the green while Goydos fell short into the water, facing one of the loneliest walks to the drop zone, knowing it was all over.
Spaun ended up three-putting from 45 feet for a triple bogey. McIlroy rolled his 30-footer well past the hole for a bogey, establishing a three-shot lead. Both players drove well to the right on the 18th; McIlroy opted for a safe bogey, while Spaun chose not to attempt the remaining 10-footer for bogey.
McIlroy is hesitant to discuss The Players being considered the fifth major, as he’s focused on the real challenge ahead— the big major at Augusta National, just a month away. The key now is maintaining his form. He previously secured victory in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month and intends to play another event in Houston or San Antonio before the Masters.
“Everything feels in good order at the moment,” he mentioned. “I’ll keep practicing and committing to the right habits, as they cumulatively lead to successful moments like today.”
Spaun walked away with $4.3 million for his second-place finish, moving him to No. 25 in the world ranking, securing his position at the Masters.
“A decent consolation for the week,” Spaun remarked.
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