RORY McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title in a dramatic Monday playoff at TPC Sawgrass.
The Down ace scooped a massive $4.5 million payday to become the first European to do a double at the famous course.
The Northern Irishman triumphed over J.J. Spaun in a tense three-hole aggregate playoff.
Both players finished 72 holes tied at 12-under par, forcing a playoff after the event couldn’t be finished on Sunday night due to poor light.
On the par-5 16th, McIlroy set the tone with a booming drive, setting up a two-putt birdie, while Spaun faltered from a greenside bunker and settled for par.
The turning point came at the infamous par-3 17th, where Spaun’s tee shot found the water, resulting in a triple bogey.
McIlroy, despite making bogey, took full control of the playoff as he lead by three-strokes heading down 18.
McIlroy played conservatively as both players missed right off the tee, but the four-time major winner managed a bogey – enough to secure the title.
This marks McIlroy’s second victory of the season, following his triumph at Pebble Beach in February.
Speaking after the triump, the Holywood hotshot admitted that it was the most nervous he has been in a long time.
He’s mental ability to be able to handle big pressure moments at major championships has been question in recent years.
One of the major storylines of the 2024 season was Down native McIlroy’s collapse at the US Open.
The 36-year-old’s 10-year wait for a fifth Major title extended after the dramatic and excruciating tournament last summer.
The Holywood hotshot blew a two-shot lead thru 15 holes in the final round at Pinehurst No.2, he went on to miss short putts at 16 before before a horror show on 18.
But he’s certain the playoff win over Spaun will stand to him with the Masters on the horizon.
Speaking with the media after the win at TPC Sawgrass, he said: “Honestly, standing over that tee shot on 16, it’s the most nervous I’d been in a long time.
“So, I think that will stand to me, feeling like that – being able to hit the golf shots that I need, while your stomach is not feeling great and legs are a little shaky, and your heart-rate is racing.
“To have to go through that today – it’s nice to have that in recent memory for some of the tournaments coming up, for sure.”
With the Masters fast approaching, McIlroy’s resurgence has positioned him as a major threat at Augusta.
All eyes will be on whether he can carry this momentum and finally secure the elusive Green Jacket.
