On a thrilling Monday morning, March 17, 2025, Rory McIlroy etched his name into the annals of golf history once again, clinching the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in a dramatic playoff against J.J. Spaun. The victory, coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day, marked McIlroy’s second win at the PGA Tour’s flagship event and his 28th career title on the tour, further solidifying his status as one of the game’s modern greats.

Every shot from the THREE-HOLE PLAYOFF 

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The Road to the Playoff

The 2025 Players Championship was anything but predictable. Weather delays, including a four-hour suspension due to thunderstorms on Sunday, pushed the tournament’s conclusion into a fifth day for the first time since 2015. When play resumed, McIlroy held a slim lead at 12-under par, with J.J. Spaun hot on his heels. The final round had been a rollercoaster: McIlroy surged ahead with an early eagle on the par-5 2nd and a birdie on the 11th, building what seemed like an insurmountable advantage. However, the back nine tested his resolve. Missed opportunities and a faltering putter allowed Spaun to claw back into contention.

Spaun, ranked 57th in the world and seeking just his second PGA Tour win, showcased remarkable grit. After falling three shots behind, he mounted a late charge with a tap-in birdie on the 16th and a clutch par save on the 17th. On the 72nd hole, his 30-foot birdie putt to win outright agonizingly stopped inches short, forcing a playoff with McIlroy at 12-under.

The Playoff Drama

The three-hole aggregate playoff, a format designed to highlight TPC Sawgrass’ iconic finishing stretch (holes 16, 17, and 18), began at 9:00 AM EDT on Monday. McIlroy, the world No. 2 with a resume boasting four majors, faced off against Spaun, a former collegiate walk-on whose resurgence this season had already turned heads. The contrast couldn’t have been starker: McIlroy carried the weight of expectation, while Spaun played with the freedom of an underdog.

On the par-5 16th, both players made birdie, keeping the tension high. The par-3 17th, with its infamous island green, proved decisive. McIlroy spun a wedge to within 14 feet and calmly rolled in the birdie, while Spaun’s tee shot found the fringe, leading to a par. On the 18th, McIlroy’s approach left him a tricky 73-footer, but he lagged it to 4 feet and secured a par. Spaun, needing a birdie to extend the playoff, couldn’t convert, handing McIlroy the victory with a one-shot advantage over the three holes.

A Milestone Moment

This win was more than just another trophy for McIlroy. It was his third career victory on St. Patrick’s Day, a fitting tribute to his Northern Irish roots, and his first time winning twice in the U.S. before the Masters—a potential omen as he continues his quest for the career Grand Slam at Augusta National next month. The $4.5 million winner’s purse, the richest in golf, was a nice bonus, but for McIlroy, the triumph was about silencing doubts after a string of near-misses in recent years, including the 2024 U.S. Open and Irish Open.

Reflecting on the win, McIlroy admitted to feeling the pressure on Sunday’s back nine. “I had chances to close the door, and I didn’t quite do it,” he said. “But to come back today and get it done in the playoff feels incredible.” For Spaun, the runner-up finish was bittersweet but a testament to his resurgence. “I gave it everything,” he said. “Rory’s a legend, and to push him like that means a lot.”

What’s Next?

McIlroy’s second Players Championship title—he previously won in 2019—adds to his legacy at TPC Sawgrass, a course that rewards precision and punishes mistakes. With the Masters looming in April, this victory could be the spark he needs to end his decade-long major drought. For now, though, the golf world celebrates a champion who, on a windy, rain-soaked week in Florida, reminded us why he’s one of the sport’s brightest stars.

As the Irish flags waved and the crowd roared on St. Patrick’s Day, Rory McIlroy stood atop the leaderboard once more, a victor in every sense of the word. Here’s to the next chapter in his storied career—Sláinte!