McIlroy Prevails in Monday Playoff to Claim Second PLAYERS Championship

"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down a wild week at THE PLAYERS, which bled into a St. Patrick’s Day Monday playoff won by McIlroy.

St. Patrick's Day Triumph

In a dramatic conclusion to THE PLAYERS Championship, Rory McIlroy captured his second title at TPC Sawgrass, defeating J.J. Spaun in a Monday morning playoff that showcased both the brilliance and brutality of golf's most unpredictable venue.

The Northern Irishman's victory came on St. Patrick's Day—marking the second time in his career that he's won THE PLAYERS on the Irish holiday. His 28th win moved him into elite company, tying legends Paul Runyan and Leo Diegel for 20th on the all-time wins list, one behind Gene Littler and Lee Trevino, who had 29 PGA TOUR victories.

"I'm just glad we didn't have to play 18 in that," McIlroy said moments after securing the win. "I feel bad for J.J. He hit a great shot on 17, and it just flew off the wind. I'm really proud. This is the third time I've won on St Patrick's Day, so it's the luck of the Irish!"

Playoff Drama at the Island Green

The playoff, contested over three holes (16, 17, and 18), turned decisively at the infamous island green 17th. After McIlroy took a one-stroke advantage with a birdie at the par-5 16th, Spaun's tee shot at 17 sailed over the green and into the water—his first water ball of the tournament. The resulting triple bogey effectively ended his chances, despite McIlroy's own bogey on the hole.

It was a crushing blow for Spaun, who had shown remarkable poise throughout the week.

"One hundred percent, I was committed to the shot, the shot shape and the club," Spaun explained afterward.

"I just hit it too good, and it went right through the wind. I was almost telling it to get up because I thought I saw it floating."

Sunday's Dramatic Finish

The playoff became necessary after Sunday's final round ended in near darkness, with both players tied at 12-under 276. McIlroy had appeared poised for victory in regulation, building a three-shot lead following a four-hour rain delay. But Spaun, seeking just his second PGA TOUR title, refused to surrender.

"Everyone expects him to win," Spaun said of McIlroy. "I don't think a lot of people expect me to win. I expect myself to win. That's all I care about."

McIlroy's Sunday Charge

McIlroy's path to victory began with a Sunday charge from four shots back. He roared into contention with an early birdie and eagle at the par-5 second hole, eventually taking the lead when Spaun bogeyed the seventh. The rain delay seemed to strengthen McIlroy's position as he immediately birdied the 12th hole upon resumption of play, pushing his advantage to three shots.

But Spaun's resilience proved remarkable. After falling three behind, he explained his mindset: "Once that bogey kind of hit me, I just tried to just fight back. I kind of went with the odds. I had nothing to lose. Now I'm trying to catch Rory, and I can't really control what he does, but I can control what I do."

Down to the Wire

The underdog caught McIlroy with precision approaches, including a dart to within a foot on the 14th for birdie and a perfect chip at the 16th that tied the lead. Both players navigated the treacherous 17th in regulation, setting up the dramatic finish at 18.

"I'm standing here feeling like I should be going home with the trophy today," McIlroy admitted after the final round. "But it's all right. I'll reset and try to go home with the trophy tomorrow."

Reset he did, and the trophy was his less than 24 hours later.

Notable Performances

Tom Hoge, Lucas Glover, and Akshay Bhatia shared third place at 10-under, each earning $1,325,000 from the tournament's massive $25 million purse. Bud Cauley, whose career was nearly ended by crushing injuries in a 2018 car crash, tied for sixth—a result that secured his PGA TOUR card for the remainder of the year by fulfilling his medical exemption.

Scheffler's Struggles

Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler never found his rhythm at Sawgrass, finishing in a tie for 20th after a final-round 73. The world number one went 15 straight holes without a birdie between the third and fourth rounds.

Despite the disappointing result, Scheffler remained optimistic about his game. "I feel very close," he said. "I'm a competitive guy, and I felt like I could have played a lot better this week. I maybe finished the week 4-under par. I felt like I played some better golf than that."

Looking Ahead

For McIlroy, the victory provides momentum heading into the heart of the season and the upcoming major championships. After several near misses in recent years, including last year's heartbreaking finish at the U.S. Open, this win at golf's "fifth major" could signal a return to dominance for the four-time major champion.

As the sun rose over TPC Sawgrass on Monday morning, few could have predicted the swift turn of events that would unfold. But in the end, McIlroy—with a combination of skill, experience, and perhaps a touch of Irish luck—claimed the gold trophy and the $4.5 million first-place prize.

The victory serves as a reminder of McIlroy's enduring class and championship mettle, while Spaun's performance throughout the week suggests his second PGA TOUR victory may not be far away. For now, though, THE PLAYERS Championship belongs to Rory McIlroy, who once again proved why he remains one of golf's most captivating stars.