Rory McIlroy beat J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate play-off to win THE PLAYERS for a second time.
After nothing could separate the pair over the regulation 72 holes, the Northern Irishman was too strong when they returned for extra holes on Monday at TPC Sawgrass.
McIlroy took the initiative with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 16th after a 336-yard drive into the middle of the fairway as Spaun could only manage a par after finding the rough.
With a one-shot lead, McIlroy then found the green at the famous par-three 17th and was in firm control after the American hit his tee shot into the water, effectively ending his hopes of victory.
Despite making a bogey, the four-time Major Champion opened up a three-shot lead with Spaun ending up making a triple-bogey.
With the result all but decided, McIlroy could afford to bogey the 18th and still comfortably seal victory on St. Patrick’s Day.
“I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players,” he said.
“I’m just glad we didn’t have to play 18 [holes] in that. Three was enough.
“I feel bad for JJ. He hit a really good shot on 17 and it just went straight through the wind, I was lucky to do enough to get it done.”
The PLAYERS Championship belongs to Rory once again 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ln1woP3pPm
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 17, 2025
It is McIlroy's second PGA TOUR title of the 2025 season, and his 28th overall, having won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
Both players had opportunities to win the title in a dramatic final round on Sunday which featured a four-hour weather suspension.
After starting four shots adrift of the overnight lead, McIlroy moved into a one-shot lead after 11 holes, shortly before the hooter sounded amid the threat of lightning.
On the resumption, McIlroy birdied the 12th while Spaun made a bogey shortly afterwards as the lead stretched to three.
But his momentum was stalled with a bogey at the 14th, before he missed birdie chances at the 15th and 16th, with Spaun drawing level with tap-in birdies at the 14th and 16th.
After McIlroy made a five-foot par putt on the last to finish at 12 under, Spaun had a chance to snatch victory but saw his 30-foot birdie try come up just short as darkness descended.
McIlroy is confirmed to be playing the Amgen Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship on the Back 9 of the DP World Tour's 2025 Race to Dubai.
To purchase tickets for these and other DP World Tour events, click here.
