The Players Championship LIVE: Rory McIlroy beats JJ Spaun in dramatic three-hole play-off
The world No 2 comfortably won the play-off after Spaun found the water on the 17th and the Northern Irishman claimed a memorable St Patrick’s Day triumph
Rory McIlroy comfortably beat unheralded American JJ Spaun in a three-hole Monday play-off to decide the winner of The Players Championship after a dramatic day on Sunday had seen the Northern Irishman let slip a three-shot lead.
McIlroy, who was bidding for his second title at TPC Sawgrass in what is colloquially known as ‘golf’s fifth major’, went into Sunday’s final round four strokes behind Spaun but an exceptional start saw him move three ahead with six holes to play, despite a four-hour weather delay due to the threat of lightning. But the world No 2 missed chances to stay ahead and Spaun made up the ground, leaving them both 12-under after 72 holes when play was suspended due to bad light, requiring a Monday return for a three-hole play-off.
With the lowest aggregate score over the 16th, 17th and 18th holes determining the winner, McIlroy piped his first drive down the middle of the 16th fairway to lay down a marker and when Spaun sent his response into the rough, it seemed to set the tone.
McIlroy’s birdie on the 16th put him a stroke ahead and when Spaun found water with his tee shot on 17, it was all but over. He would go on to triple bogey the hole and the Northern Irishman nursed his three-shot lead up the 18th to become The Players champion for the second time after his 2019 success – setting him up for a tilt at that elusive Masters title in three weeks’ time.
Follow all the action with The Independent’s live blog here:
Highlights from Sunday's play
McIlroy refuses to comment on hecklers
McIlroy got off to a good start at the Championship, carding seven birdies and two bogeys at Sawgrass to end the opening day just a shot behind joint leaders Lucas Glover, JJ Spaun and Camilo Villegas.
But the day was mostly notable for the Irishman’s response - or lack of response - to a heckler during a practice round earlier in the week.
Rory McIlroy refuses to comment on fan who heckled him at Players Championship
How to watch the Players Championship
The final, extra day of action at TPC Sawgrass takes place today, live on Sky Sports.
The play-off gets underway at 1pm UK time (9am local time).
How will the play-off work?
The three-hole play-off will be staged across the iconic closing holes at TPC Sawgrass with the aggregate score across 16, 17 and 18 determining the winner. McIlroy is aiming to become a two-time Players champion.
"It would mean an awful lot, there aren't many multiple Players champions,” he said. "Scottie [Scheffler] won the last two years, it'd be nice to get two like him, and two like Tiger I guess.
"But I have to put that out of my head and just play three good holes in the morning and hopefully that's good enough."
McIlroy grateful for chance to 'reset' on Sunday night
“It's been a long day,” he told Sky Sports at the close of play yesterday. "I got off to a great start before play was called. 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."
Rory McIlroy set for three-hole Monday play-off to decide Players Championship
Rory McIlroy will return for a Monday play-off as he looks to win a second Players Championship “the hard way”. McIlroy will face JJ Spaun across the final three holes at TPC Sawgrass, with the play-off starting at 1pm UK time.
McIlroy and Spaun were tied on -12 at the conclusion of the final round on Sunday night and, with light fading, the PGA Tour confirmed that a three-hole play-off would settle the tournament.
McIlroy carded a four-under 68 but missed chances down the stretch to win. Spaun, who was playing in the final ground, shot an ever-par 72 but was inches away from a closing birdie on the 18th.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments