Rory McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole play-off to collect a second PLAYERS Championship title in a weather-affected tournament in Florida.
The PGA TOUR’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass was heavily-affected by weather conditions including a four-hour suspension on the Sunday due to bad light which led to the event requiring a fifth day.
The Northern Irishman and J.J. Spaun returned to battle it out in the play-off which saw McIlroy ease to a three-shot victory to claim a second PLAYERS Championship title and walk away which the handsome $4.5 million prize.
The four-time major winner took instant control of the play-off with a birdie on the first hole, the par-five 16th, with Spaun only managing a par. Things went on to look even better for McIlroy after the American found water on the second hole causing him to drop three shots despite McIlroy three-putting the iconic par-three 17th to card a bogey and effectively distinguish the World No. 57’s hopes of a second career victory on the PGA TOUR. A bogey on the final play-off hole, the par-five 18th, was enough for McIlroy to seal his second win of the year.
It is also McIlroy’s 28th triumph on the PGA TOUR and he has become the first European to win multiple PLAYERS Championships.
“The wind came out in a completely different direction to yesterday – I’m glad we didn’t have to play 18 holes in that,” McIlroy said following his triumph.
“I feel really bad for JJ. He hit a great shot on the 17th but it just went straight through the wind. I was lucky to do enough to get it done.
“I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players Championship. And it’s the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day. It’s been a good-luck charm for me!
There was a three-way tie for third between American trio Tom Hoge, Lucas Glover, and Akshay Bhatia. While The top two players in the world, Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa could only settle for a T20 and T10 finish respectively.
What’s the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the Valspar Championship taking place between 20-23 March at the Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) in Florida.