Rory McIlroy dominated a three-hole play-off to win The Players Championship.
The Northern Irishman won the Players in 2015 and is just the eighth person to triumph multiple times in the event, following in the footsteps of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and all-time great Tiger Woods.
GettyMcIlroy was calm and composed as he returned for a rare Monday finale[/caption]
Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus is the only three-time winner.
As the Players isn’t a normal PGA Tour event, the four-time Major winner bagged a massive $4.5 million prize.
He had an eagle chance on the 16th but settled for birdie and a one-shot lead after one hole.
Having found the green on the iconic 17th at Sawgrass, he saw Spaun’s tee shot splash into the infamous lake to leave victory all-but certain with a three-shot lead despite carding a bogey.
From there, the final hole was never going to spring a surprise in 20mph winds and the Brit comfortably saw out victory to continue a strong start to the season ahead of the elusive Masters.
McIlroy let a three-shot lead slip away on a dramatic Sunday to set up Monday’s play-off.
It was a brilliant finish to a tournament which began with the 35-year-old taking a heckler’s phone.
McIlroy was competing in a practice round alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry on Tuesday when he was filmed approaching a patron.
He asks the spectator, ‘Let me see your phone’ – and proceeded to take it before walking off.
The social media user who posted the video said McIlroy hit a wayward tee shot into a water hazard and the fan shouted ‘just like 2011 at Augusta’ before the incident occurred.
That was a reference an infamous collapse at the Masters — when McIlroy held a four-shot lead after 54 holes and shot 80 in the final round.
And 14 years on, it remains a sensitive topic as the Green Jacket continues to elude him in his quest to win all four Majors and complete a career grand slam.
It has now emerged that the heckler was University of Texas golfer Luke Potter.
The incident happened one day after the 20-year-old earned his first NCAA individual victory across the road at Sawgrass Country Club.
Potter has since told Golf Channel: “Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologize for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. … It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologize.”
Entering the final round four strokes behind Spaun, McIlroy shot into contention with a thrilling birdie-eagle start at TPC Sawgrass.
By the time he reached the turn in 33, he found himself tied for the lead, igniting hope and excitement for what lay ahead.
As the world No. 2 climbed to the top of the leaderboard, a four-hour weather delay loomed due to threatening lightning.
Yet, McIlroy responded powerfully, birdying his first hole after the restart – the 12th – to take a three-stroke lead with just six holes left to play.
However, the journey wasn’t without its hurdles; he bogeyed his next hole and missed crucial opportunities along the closing stretch, ultimately finishing with a solid four-under 68.
Meanwhile, Spaun’s late-game heroics included birdying two of his last five holes, allowing him to match the Northern Irishman at 12 under 276.
Due to earlier delays, there wasn’t enough daylight left for the three-hole play-off, pushing the tournament into an unexpected fifth day.
Scheffler claimed The Players Championship in both 2023 and 2024, making history as the first to win consecutively.
He subsequently secured his second major championship at the 2024 Masters Tournament and brought home the gold medal in the men’s individual tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Conversely, Woods achieved the Players Championship in 2001 and again twelve years later in 2013, with his second win being the swiftest path to four victories in any season of his career.
