MX23RW : Monday, March 17 22:44:40| >> :120:15077:15077:

Rory McIlroy, J.J. Spaun face Players Championship playoff after nerve-shredding final round

A Monday finish: McIlroy, Spaun face Players Championship playoff
Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will contest a Players Championship playoff on Monday after a dramatic final round at a wet Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will battle it out in a playoff at the Players Championship after a tense final round at Sawgrass.

World number two McIlroy went into the closing 18 holes trailing by four shots at a time when Spaun held the lead, but the pair will do battle over a three-hole playoff on Monday.

Despite the early start due to the forecast bad weather, a four-hour delay ensured that there was only enough daylight for Spaun to go agonisingly close to holing a 31-foot putt for victory.

McIlroy had earlier missed a short par putt at the 14th hole to bring in back towards the pack after establishing a three-shot lead, and the Northern Irishman had required a nerve-jangling four-foot putt for par on the last to give himself the clubhouse lead.

Birdies at 14 and 16 kept Spaun in the hunt, before a terrific two-putt on the 17th and near-miss for the trophy led to an extra day being required.

What else happened on Sunday?

Akshay Bhatia threatened to join the party but missed short putts ensured that the left-hander had to make do with a share of third alongside Tom Hoge and Lucas Glover.

Bud Cauley is in line to regain his full playing rights on the PGA Tour after securing a tie for sixth with Corey Conners and Danny Walker.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre shot a final-round 69 to finish in ninth place, with Collin Morikawa and Davis Thompson completing the top 10.

The English duo of Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai secured a share of 14th spot, while world number one and two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler was 20th.

ID:568102:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4207:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Rory McIlroy

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tiger Woods during the Genesis Invitational on February 16, 2025
Read Next:
Tiger Woods announces Achilles injury setback: Will he miss the Masters?
>