Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun Set for Thrilling 3-Hole Playoff at Players Championship

The Players Championship is heading into uncharted waters as Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun prepare for an intense three-hole playoff on Monday morning. Both golfers finished Sunday’s final round tied at 12-under, after battling rain delays and high-stakes moments on the greens. While McIlroy is chasing his 28th PGA Tour victory, Spaun is looking to add a second career win to his resume—talk about a David versus Goliath scenario.

Sunday’s drama kicked off with a four-hour weather delay in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, pushing the final round into the evening. Tee times had already been adjusted to avoid a Monday extension, but Mother Nature clearly had other plans. Lightning and relentless rain halted play from 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., leaving players to recalibrate their strategies.

McIlroy wrapped up his round first, shooting an impressive 4-under 68. He had fans buzzing when he attempted a bold 74-foot putt on the 18th hole, which could’ve snagged him a miraculous birdie. Alas, the ball veered left, forcing him to settle for par. Meanwhile, Spaun faced his own uphill battle. He started the day 2-over and struggled to regain momentum until birdies on Holes 14 and 16 resurrected his chances. His conservative play on the iconic island green at Hole 17 kept the pressure alive, landing him a par.

By the time Spaun reached Hole 18, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. His tee shot found the straw on the right side of the fairway, but he managed a solid approach shot, setting up a 20-foot birdie attempt. The crowd held its collective breath as Spaun’s ball rolled true toward the hole—only to stop agonizingly short. A tap-in for par sealed the playoff showdown with McIlroy.

Monday's playoff will feature Holes 16, 17, and 18 at TPC Sawgrass, and it’s bound to be a nail-biter. With McIlroy’s 27 career wins towering over Spaun’s single victory, the odds might seem stacked. But if Sunday’s twists and turns are anything to go by, Spaun might just have a few surprises left in his bag.

As the golf world tunes in for Monday’s finale, one thing’s certain: The Players Championship is truly living up to its reputation as a showcase of skill, grit, and a touch of drama.