The Players Championship LIVE: Rory McIlroy beats JJ Spaun in dramatic three-hole play-off – UK Times

Rory McIlroy has discussed his victory in a three-hole play-off and the tough conditions this morning.

“The wind was coming out of a completely different direction,” said McIlroy. “Three holes was enough in that!

“I feel bad for JJ – he hit a really good shot on 17 and it just went through the wind. Luckily, I had enough to get the job done.

“I’m proud and happy to win my second Players Championship. It’s the third time I’ve won a tournament on St Patrick’s Day, so it’s a lucky charm.

“I’ve worked really hard and I’m a way more complete player than a few years ago, even in conditions like this. I’m really happy to win it.”

Here was the key moment in this play-off. JJ Spaun’s tee shot found the water on the iconic 17th hole

Job done for Rory McIlroy who is now a two-time Players champion

Spaun’s long par putt comes up short. McIlroy two putts and that’s it! Rory McIlroy is the winner of the 2025 Players Championship.

A comfortable victory over the valiant JJ Spaun and McIlroy wins ‘golf’s fifth major’ for the second time after his 2019 success.

After three-hole play-off:

Spaun to play first and his iron shot – the third on this 18th hole – is short of the green.

McIlroy left with 139 yards with his third and lofts a lovely shot about 12 feet short of the flag. Just the final knockings of this play-off to tidy up now and Rory McIlroy will win the Players Championship for the second time.

After second of three play-off holes:

From bad to worse for Spaun. He’s left with 222 yards to the green and only a sliver of a gap through the trees to reach it. Takes a 4 iron, needs a miracle shot and tops it. Goes on to the fairway but nowhere near the green.

McIlroy, with no need for anything silly, simply chips his ball out on to the fairway.

After second of three play-off holes:

On to the par-four 18th, the final hole of this three-hole play-off. Another iconic hole, with the vast expanse of water down the left but the hole curving from right to left.

McIlroy is going anywhere but left, understandably. His tee shot soars into the crowds to the right of the fairway. A chink of light for Spaun?

No… The American follows him, short and well right. He needs a birdie and McIlroy to double bogey but I’m not sure he’ll be able to reach the green in two The trophy has slipped away from him

After second of three play-off holes:

It’s all over now, you’d think. Spaun swings his double bogey putt and it stays high. Rolls in the triple bogey – disastrous for the underdog.

McIlroy misses his par putt as the ball slips left of the hole up the hill. He taps in for bogey but still has a three-shot lead up the 18th. Surely there’ll be no mistakes from here…?

After second of three play-off holes:

Spaun actually tries a chip to take out the first slope – delicate shot and it’s decent but he’s still got the best part of 12 feet for a double bogey.

McIlroy takes his birdie putt, surely just a lag up to the hole… Sets it on course and that’s got some legs. Slips just past the hole and keeps on running, and running. Suddenly he’s left with a six-footer for par!

After first of three play-off holes:

Spaun pitching from the drop zone after finding the water. And even that’s not a great chip – you feel the occasion has got to the American.

The ball spins back and comes to rest up against the fringe of the green, probably 30 feet from the hole. That’s not an easy two putt from there, given the curve of rough between him and the hole and a two-putt would be a double bogey…

McIlroy in complete control of this play-off now and has one hand on the Players Championship trophy

After first of three play-off holes: