Rory McIlroy defeats J.J. Spaun in play-off for second Players title
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Rory McIlroy speaking to the media after winning the playoff in the final round of The Players Championship on March 17.
PHOTO: AFP
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MIAMI – Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy cruised to a St Patrick’s Day victory on March 17, defeating J.J. Spaun in a play-off at TPC Sawgrass for his second Players Championship.
The four-time Major champion completed the three-hole shoot-out in one over, while Spaun’s challenge wilted after a triple-bogey on the second play-off hole.
McIlroy (68) had finished tied for the lead with Spaun (72) on 12-under 276 following the storm-hit final round on March 16, after failing to hold on to a three-shot lead with five holes to play.
But, after returning to the course on March 17 in bright, breezy conditions, there was no sign of a repeat of the late stumble by the 35-year-old that had allowed Spaun to force his way into his first career play-off.
McIlroy struck first on the opening play-off hole, the par-five 16th, sending a 336-yard drive straight down the fairway before reaching the green in two.
Spaun, meanwhile, looked out of sorts from the get-go, finding the fairway rough off the tee before landing his second shot into the greenside bunker.
McIlroy failed to make his 33-foot eagle putt but calmly rolled in an awkward five-footer for birdie.
Spaun, whose recovery out of the bunker left him with a long, unsuccessful birdie putt, could only par.
After that early wobble, things got worse for Spaun at the par-three 17th island hole, with the American plunging his tee-shot into the water behind the green.
Spaun then missed a long 10-foot putt for double bogey and finished with a triple-bogey six.
While McIlroy missed his birdie chance and a 10-footer to save par, his bogey four still left him three shots clear heading to the 18th.
McIlroy’s tee-shot on the last went well wide of the right fairway, but Spaun, 34, was unable to profit, also going wide of the fairway.
Both players reached the green in three and missed their par putts. McIlroy coolly tapped in for bogey to seal victory.
Said McIlroy: “I left here a little disappointed last night that I didn’t get it done in regulation. I reset, and I needed to go out and play some good golf today.
“It started with a great drive on 16 which set me up for an easy birdie.
“I’ve worked really hard. I feel like I’m a way more complete player than I was a few years ago.
“Even in conditions like this, I feel like I can play in all conditions and anything that comes my way.”
Said Spaun: “It’s hard to not feel discouraged a little bit, but nothing but positives in putting myself in contention and giving myself a chance to win in a play-off.”
Tom Hoge mixed seven birdies with a lone bogey en route to a 66 to share third place at 10-under 278 with Akshay Bhatia (70) and Lucas Glover (71).
Danny Walker (70), Bud Cauley (74) and Canada’s Corey Conners (71) were a further stroke back in a tie for sixth.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s quest for an unprecedented third successive Players victory ended in disappointment as he closed with a 73 for a 284 total and a tie for 20th. REUTERS, AFP
