Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. — It turns out Rory McIlroy It took just three solid swings to secure victory in the Players Championship on Monday during a playoff against J.J. Spaun .
McIlroy launched his first drive off the tee and followed up with a pitching wedge on the par-5 16th, positioning himself for a birdie opportunity. Then, facing the challenging par-3 17th with its island green at TPC Sawgrass under brisk conditions, he managed to land his 9-iron shot successfully despite the chilly, sharp breeze. This performance essentially secured him a second victory in golf’s most lucrative tournament.
Spaun lingered with his 8-iron until he noticed the sounds of displeasure from the crowd gathered past the 17th green. The ball sliced through the breeze and landed well beyond the green, plunging into the water, which resulted in a triple bogey and dashed his chances.
He remarked, 'It was an excellent shot... flawless if only it were at the correct distance,' adding, 'I simply couldn’t fathom how far it went. Just typical for me when wind comes into play.'
McIlroy secured his place as the eighth player to win the Players Championship more than once when he triumphed this year, adding to his previous victory in 2019. This marks the first occasion in his professional journey where he enters the Masters with two wins under his belt. His most recent success came at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am just last month.
A four-hour rain delay led to the first three-hole playoff at The Players Championship in a decade. During this event, McIlroy needed to sink a crucial 4-foot par putt on the final hole. Meanwhile, Spaun missed his winning attempt with a 30-foot birdie putt that fell just shy of the cup.
Disappointed after losing his three-stroke advantage on the latter part of the course, McIlroy glanced towards the potential playoff and stated, "Just make five solid swings tomorrow morning and finish this off."
The 336-yard shot on the 16th hole. A pitch with his pitching wedge leaving him within 35 feet. Then, an approach with a 9-iron that landed safely ashore. Those were the key plays required for him to outperform Spaun and secure the top prize of $4.5 million from the total pot of $25 million.
The three swings essentially determined the champion," McIlroy stated. "I empathize with J.J.; he's had an excellent week. It was tough to witness how things concluded for him.
It echoed a 2008 playoff matchup Sergio Garcia and Paul Goydos Back when the 17th hole was utilized for sudden-death playoffs, Garcia managed to reach the green. In contrast, Goyos fell short and ended up in the water hazard. There’s nothing quite as isolating as walking alone towards the drop area, realizing it’s all over.
Now, McIlroy boasts 39 victories globally and carries significant momentum as the Masters approaches in just a month’s time. The only item missing from his collection is the Green Jacket, which would grant him entry into the elite circle of players who have achieved the career Grand Slam in golf. It has been since 2014 since he last claimed a major title.
Considered as good as winning a major, The Players Championship saw McIlroy performing well at Sawgrass even though he missed over half of the fairways throughout the week.
"I believe I am a more skilled player now than at any point in the past, and it’s gratifying to witness the rewards of my hard work," McIlroy stated.
Spaun secured $2,725,000 for coming in second place and climbed to No. 25 in the global rankings, which was sufficiently high to guarantee him entry into the Masters.
