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2025 Players Championship, recap: Rory McIlroy defeats J.J. Spaun in Monday playoff

Here’s how the Monday playoff between Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun played out in The Players Championship.

Highlights from the final round of The Players
Some of the best moments and shots from an incredible Sunday on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass

Rory McIlroy is The Players champion. Again. McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff Monday on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

After McIlroy gained an early advantage with a birdie on the first extra hole, the par-5 16th, Spaun found water off the tee at the par-3 17th. The ensuing triple bogey quashed the remaining drama.

McIlroy closed out his 28th PGA Tour victory, which includes the 2019 Players Championship, with a two-putt bogey at the last.

Here’s how the morning played out in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after play was carried over from a rain-impacted Sunday:

Updates
Final leaderboard from the 2025 Players Championship
Here’s how the week played out on the Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Rory McIlroy’s thoughts
Rory: 'Unbelievably proud' to win second Players
Rory McIlroy reacts to his second Players Championship win, walking through his confidence in his tee shot on 17, St. Patrick's Day as a "good luck charm," his relief to get it done in the playoff and more.

J.J. Spaun’s thoughts
Spaun: Was committed to shot on 17, hit 'too good'
After coming up short in The Players playoff vs. Rory McIlroy, J.J. Spaun explains what went wrong on a 17th hole tee shot he felt committed to, as well as the disappointment in coming up short.

List of every Players champion

Rory McIlroy is now here twice:

Here’s a look at the players who have won The Players, since 1974.

Rory McIlroy is nearly the Tour’s second $100 million man
Here’s how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

More than a little luck

Rory McIlroy says he has now won three times on St. Patrick’s Day.

Rory McIlroy: Birdie-Bogey-Bogey

J.J. Spaun: Par-Triple bogey-DNF

Once McIlroy putted out for bogey on 18, wrapping up his 2-over performance, victory was assured. Spaun didn’t need to finish the 18th hole.

Rory McIlroy is, again, The Players champion

McIlroy bogeys the 18th but it’s plenty good enough to defeat Spaun.

McIlroy add this Players title to his 2019 victory.

Third shots on par-4 18th

With the wind into them off the left, Spaun’s approach from 143 yards finishes 68 feet short of the hole.

McIlroy, playing from 140 — but more like a “160 shot” — flights his ball down, 17 feet away.

Both players pitch out of trouble

Spaun topped his into the fairway while McIlroy cleanly punched back into play.

Both will have about 140 yards in.

Tee shots on par-4 18th

McIlroy hits driver way right. Spaun hits driver even farther right.

While McIlroy’s tee ball went 334 yards, Spaun’s only traveled 277.

Thru 2: McIlroy, even par; Spaun, 3 over

One hole remaining in the aggregate playoff.

Triple bogey for Spaun

He runs his bogey effort 10 feet past the hole and can’t make the putt for double.

McIlroy’s birdie effort slides past the hole and he, too, can’t make the comebacker. It’s bogey for McIlroy but he still picks up two shots.

Water disaster for Spaun at 17

After dunking his tee shot into the drink, Spaun hits from the drop zone at No. 17.

Playing roughly an “89-yard shot,” Spaun’s ball lands in the middle of the green and spins back, 42 feet from the hole. He’ll be putting for bogey before McIlroy putts for birdie.

Tee shots on par-3 17th

Using a 9-iron from 130 yards, McIlroy hits it to the back of the green, where it holds, 29 feet from the flag.

Spaun — after peeking into McIlroy’s bag to see what he used — flies an 8-iron over the green, straight into the water.

Thru 1: McIlroy, 1 under; Spaun, even par

Spaun, as he did routinely Sunday, leaves his 22-foot birdie putt short and settles for par.

McIlroy rolls in his 5-footer for birdie to take the early advantage.

On and around the green at 16

Spaun hits his bunker shot heavy, leaving himself 22 feet for birdie.

McIlroy, with 33 feet for eagle, runs it 5 feet past.

Second shots on par-5 16th

Playing first, Spaun has 213 yards to the hole, his ball nestled in the thick, right rough. After a club change, his approach shot barely carries the water and finishes in the front greenside bunker.

McIlroy, hitting a wedge downwind from 180 yards, plays safely into the middle of the green, 33 feet from the hole.

First shots on par-5 16th

McIlroy: Driver down the middle, 336 yards.

Spaun: Driver into right rough, 309 yards.

Perfect way to ease into St. Patrick’s Day

Enjoy the wind talk this morning

How McIlroy and Spaun have played Nos. 16-18 this week

Par-5 16th:

  • McIlroy: -1
  • Spaun: -3

Par-3 17th:

  • McIlroy +1
  • Spaun: Even

Par-4 18th:

  • McIlroy: -3
  • Spaun: +1
18th-hole strategy for Rory McIlroy

He hit his “strong 3-iron” off the tee Sunday and carved it into the fairway, leaving himself 182 yards in. Johnson Wagner says, with the chill in the air and the wind off the left, no chance McIlroy hits iron off the tee today.

It’s also much cooler Monday morning

Some early on-course insight

Johnson Wagner, on Gary Williams’ “5 Clubs” show, is on the Stadium Course. He says with the different Monday morning — compared to Sunday afternoon — conditions, the par-5 16th will be playing downwind, the par-3 17th will play into the wind, and on the par-4 18th, the wind will be coming strong off the left.

The 3-hole aggregate playoff format
Here’s the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.

Coverage begins at 9AM EDT

Here’s how to watch:

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will be in a Monday playoff to determine the winner of The Players Championship.

Playoff records on Tour

Rory McIlroy: 3-2
J.J. Spaun: 0-0

J.J. Spaun’s thoughts
Spaun able to grind out final round of The Players
J.J. Spaun was able to "grind it out" in the final round of The Players Championship and feels the weather delay helped change his mindset with his first-career playoff coming against Rory McIlroy to decide the winner.

Rory McIlroy’s thoughts
McIlroy hoping to reset and win Players in playoff
Rory McIlroy describes how he feels after finishing in a tie at the top of The Players Championship leaderboard and whether he was paying attention to the final stretch of J.J. Spaun's fourth round.

Here’s how you can watch the Monday playoff
Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will be in a Monday playoff to determine the winner of The Players Championship.

J.J. Spaun comes up inches short and we’ll have a Monday playoff at The Players.

Spaun's winning putt settles JUST short at Players
J.J. Spaun had 30 feet to win The Players Championship over Rory McIlroy. The line was perfect. He came up inches short.

Spaun shoots even-par 72 but overcomes a late three-shot deficit to still have a chance.

Here’s the playoff format:

Here’s the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.

That’s what J.J. Spaun has after his approach shot from the pine straw, to win The Players Championship.

Rory McIlroy in the clubhouse at 12 under

McIlroy coaxes his 4-foot par putt into the hole at 18 to shoot 68. Now, he waits.

J.J. Spaun’s tee shot into the pine straw

Spaun’s drive runs through the fairway, through the first cut and into the pine straw. He’s 198 yards out.

It’s tied on the 72nd hole

J.J. Spaun two-putts from 45 feet at the 17th to remain at 12 under.

Up ahead, Rory McIlroy lags his 73-footer to 4 feet.

McIlroy will have a loooong birdie putt on 18

After backing off his 182-yard approach shot, McIlroy hits a sweeping hook that lands about 40 feet short of the hole and rolls back another 30. He’s going to have 73 feet for birdie to take the solo lead.

Akshay Bhatia ties clubhouse lead

Bhatia misses an 8-footer for birdie at the 18th to shoot 70 and finish at 10 under, tied with Tom Hoge.

The 23-year-old bogeyed the 10th and then parred his final eight holes in the final round.

Rory McIlroy stripes tee shot at 18

Using his “strong 3-iron,” he hits a perfect draw down the middle of the fairway. McIlroy, who has birdied the 18th each of the first three rounds, has 182 yards in.

J.J. Spaun has overcome a three-shot deficit to join Rory McIlroy atop the leaderboard.

Spaun gets up and down from left of the 16th green for his second birdie in three holes. McIlroy pars the 17th.

Leaderboard:
T1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (17)
T1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (16)
T3. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (17)
T3. Lucas Glover: -10 (16)

Bud Cauley REALLY focused on Rory McIlroy’s tee shot at 17

So much so that Cauley stepped on playing competitor Lucas Glover’s ball near the 16th green.

No penalty assessed; Glover replaces ball closest to the spot where it was smushed.

Pretty good shot for Rory McIlroy at 17, all things considered

After watching Alex Smalley’s ball take a long stroll on the bulkhead before dropping in the water at the par-3 17th, and then backing off his tee shot because of crowd noise, McIlroy spins a wedge inside 14 feet, against the collar.

On-course reporter Jim “Bones” Mackay said Spaun had a little mud on his ball for his second shot at the par-5 16th. Spaun pulls it left of the green and has 94 feet remaining.

Another birdie miss for Rory McIlroy

Following a missed 6-footer at 15, McIlroy can’t capitalize at the par-5 16th, missing an 11-footer.

J.J. Spaun, meanwhile, is in the fairway off the tee at No. 16.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (16)
2. J.J. Spaun: -11 (15)
T3. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (17)

Costly three-putt by Akshay Bhatia

Bhatia, trailing by two, hit the green with his second shot at the par-5 16th.

After running his 47-foot eagle putt 5 feet past the hole, he missed the comebacker. Bhatia remains two back at 10 under.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (15)
2. J.J. Spaun: -11 (15)
T3. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (16)

We’re on to Houston

Q. It seemed like yesterday there were some frustrating moments, for obvious reasons because of the conditions and stuff. When you stepped back last night, what did you take out of yesterday?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Well, I definitely felt myself getting a bit frustrated, but what was I thinking about at dinner — well, we were feeding Bennett (his son) some mushrooms. He liked those. Some raw mushrooms. He seemed to really enjoy those. The whole family was here, so believe it or not, I wasn’t contemplating what the wind was doing on 16 when I was up there eating dinner.

Q. We’re not used to seeing you visibly frustrated like it was yesterday, and obviously the conditions were bad --

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: You’ve played golf before, right?

Q. I’m frustrated more than you are.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: So you get it. It’s just one of those things. I’m a competitive guy, and I felt like I could have played a lot better this week. Like I said, I’m really close. I maybe finished the week 4 under par. I felt like I played some better golf than that. Looking forward to fine tuning things next week and then getting ready for Houston.

Huge miss for Rory McIlroy

With a chance to reclaim a two-stroke lead, Rory McIlroy misses a 6-foot birdie at the 15th.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (15)
2. J.J. Spaun: -11 (14)
T2. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (15)

Kick-in birdie for J.J. Spaun at No. 14

And a good thing, because he had made only 35 feet of putts over his first 13 holes. The birdie gets him to 11 under and one back of Rory McIlroy.

Scottie Scheffler’s Players reign is over

With a bogey at the 18th, Scheffler shoots 73 to finish at 4 under.

Scheffler, a year ago, became the first back-to-back champion in Players history. This time around, he made only four weekend birdies (just one Sunday) and was T-20 when he signed his card.

THE PLAYERS Championship 2025 - Final Round

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Scottie Scheffler of the United States follows his shot from the second tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 16, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Lead down to two for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy two-putts from 15 feet at the 14th to card his second bogey of the day.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (14)
T2. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (14)
T2. J.J. Spaun: -10 (13)

McIlroy opts for the lob wedge

Out of the rough, over the trees and into the fairway. McIlroy has 54 yards remaining for his third shot on the par 4 14th.

Rory trying to make it interesting?

McIlroy, up by three strokes over three players, goes wide right off the tee at the par-4 14th.

Collin Morikawa settles for a 69

Morikawa, a pre-tournament favorite, had plenty of opportunities Sunday but couldn’t get the putts to fall, losing 2.133 strokes on the green in the final round.

After a 77-69 weekend, he finishes at 7 under.

Three-shot lead for Rory McIlroy

In just 8 minutes, McIlroy turned a one-shot lead into three. McIlroy birdied the 12th hole from 12 feet while J.J. Spaun three-putted for bogey at the 11th.

Leaderboard:
1. Rory McIlroy: -13 (12)
T2. Tom Hoge: -10 (66)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (13)
T2. Danny Walker: -10 (12)
T2. J.J. Spaun: -10 (11)

Tom Hoge from 17 feet on 18 ...

Short. Hoge shoots 66 to post 10 under.

A little confusion upon return

Bud Cauley was 66 yards away with his third shot on No. 11 while Spaun faced a 62-yard bunker shot.

Spaun, however, hit his shot first — to the surprise of Cauley — and finished 69 feet from the hole. Cauley then bounced his approach over the green.

15 minutes until we resume

Players are finishing their warmups and getting into position.

We have a real update!

Practice facilities are open and play is scheduled to resume at 5:15 p.m. EDT.

Sunset is 7:34 p.m. in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The final group is currently on the 11th hole.

You know you saw this coming

The 4 p.m. update is that there will be a 4:30 p.m. update.

Stay with us ... we’ll have a real update soon

This is like waiting on the tarmac. The Tour now says 4 p.m. EDT for an update (for real real).

‘Things are improving’

In-booth rules official Mark Dusbabek says the forecast is looking good for a return to action (TBD on timing).

They have about 2 hours of regulation to play and sun sets at 7:35 p.m. EDT.

3:30 p.m. EDT update

The 3 p.m. update is that there will be a 3:30 p.m. update.

Make that a 3 p.m. EDT update

Standby.

Next update at 2:30 p.m. EDT

We’ll update you at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Here’s where we stand during the pause

1. Rory McIlroy: -12 (11)
2. J.J. Spaun: -11 (10)
T3. Tom Hoge: -10 (17)
T3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (12)
T3. Danny Walker: -10 (12)
6. Bud Cauley: -9 (10)

A look at what we’re dealing with
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Tom Hoge gets in approach shot on 18

Just before play was suspended, Hoge hit a 9-iron to 17 feet.

He is currently one off the lead with a chance to post the target.

THE PLAYERS Championship 2025 - Final Round

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Tom Hoge of the United States reacts on the 16th green during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 16, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Getty Images

With a storm headed Ponte Vedra Beach’s way, PGA Tour officials have suspended play.

Rory McIlroy reclaims solo lead

McIlroy makes a 13-footer for birdie at the 11th to reach 12 under. He’s one clear of J.J. Spaun, who is currently on the par 5.

Things tightening up on the leaderboard

While Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun share the lead at 11 under, Akshay Bhatia, Tom Hoge and Danny Walker are one back.

Hoge is on the 18th hole while Walker, who was an 11th-hour replacement, is on the 12th.

In case you’re wondering what the playoff format is
Here’s the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.

Final group makes the turn

Bud Cauley and J.J. Spaun both made their first birdies of the round at the par-5 ninth. Lucas Glover has three bogeys and no birdies. Here’s where they stand:

T1. Spaun: -11 (1 over on the day)
T4. Cauley: -9 (2 over)
T14. Glover: -6 (3 over)

Rory McIlroy can’t get up and down

From behind the green at the par-5 ninth, McIlroy chips to 11 feet. He can’t convert the birdie, though, and remains at 11 under, tied with Akshay Bhatia.

Leaderboard shifts quickly

In the span of minutes, J.J. Spaun bogeys the par-3 eighth (bad tee shot), while Akshay Bhatia birdies the ninth. McIlroy, meanwhile, is over the green in two at the par-5 ninth.

Leaderboard:
T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (9)
T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (8)
3. J.J. Spaun: -10 (8)

Rory McIlroy with the bounce-back birdie

McIlroy hits his tee shot to 15 feet at the par-3 eighth and curls in the birdie. He’s now 3 under on the day and, again, a co-leader.

Leaderboard:
T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (8)
T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (7)
3. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (8)

Akshay Bhatia joins Rory McIlroy

Bhatia bogeys the eighth and J.J. Spaun is again alone at the top.

Leaderboard:
1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -10 (8)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -10 (8)

Rory McIlroy drops back

After a poor drive into the bunker at the par-4 seventh, McIlroy cards his first bogey of the day.

Leaderboard:
T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (7)
T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (6)
3. Rory McIlroy: -10 (7)

Been a tough anniversary for Rickie Fowler

Fowler won the 2015 Players in impressive fashion but after opening in 68 Thursday, he’s gone 71-82. He started his final round with a quadruple bogey to drop into last place — three clear of Xander Schauffele.

Missed opportunity for Akshay Bhatia

Bhatia poorly struck a 7-footer for birdie at the seventh that would have given him the outright lead.

Leaderboard:
T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (7)
T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (6)
T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)

Insight from a Masters champion

Three-way tie for the lead

J.J. Spaun has had multiple, stressful par putts over his first five holes. He finally missed one on the fifth.

Leaderboard:
T1. J.J. Spaun: -11 (5)
T1. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (6)
T1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (5)

And then Keegan Bradley did this: Hole-in-one at No. 13

Earlier in the day we called out this post ...

The umbrellas are out

That’s all there is to add at the moment.

Back-to-back bogeys for Bud Cauley

After a bogey at the third, Cauley clips a tree off the tee at No. 4 and cards another square. He drops to 9 under, three back.

J.J. Spaun coaxes in a par putt at the fourth to remain on top. Akshay Bhatia and Rory McIlroy are the only other players in double-digits under par.

Leaderboard:
1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (4)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (5)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (4)

It’s starting to rain a little

NBC’s Dan Hicks said heavier rain is headed their way but, he added, no lightning for now.

Three birdies in four holes for Akshay Bhaita

With the torrid start, Bhatia is one off the lead. The 23-year-old was the 36-hole co-leader and struggled to a Saturday 75. He’s firmly in the mix now.

Leaderboard:
1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (2)
T2. Akshay Bhatia: -11 (4)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (3)
T2. Bud Cauley: -11 (2)

Video proof of Rory’s eagle

Going all caps early.

After a 319-yard drive at the par-5 second, Rory McIlroy hits it to 10 feet from 228. He then rolls in the eagle to reach 11 under.

Leaderboard:
1. J.J. Spaun: -12 (1)
T2. Rory McIlroy: -11 (2)
T2. Bud Cauley: -11 (1)

Early birdies for McIlroy, Bhatia

Both pick up a shot at the first and both move to 9 under, three off the lead.

Final group is on the course

J.J. Spaun finds the fairway, Bud Cauley (who turned 35 today) does too, and Lucas Glover makes it 3-for-3.

Leaderboard:
1. Spaun: -12 (—)
2. Cauley: -11 (—)
3. Smalley: -10 (1)

Collin Morikawa on the move

Following a Saturday 77, Morikawa has three birdies in his first five holes Sunday to get back within five of the lead.

Another par 3 (aside from 17) to keep an eye on today

The $25 million purse breakdown
Here’s how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Among those playing in the first-hour window, no one is better than 1 under par on the round.

Jordan Spieth’s off to nightmare start

Beginning on the 10th hole, Spieth has started bogey-bogey-bogey-double bogey.

Sunday’s weather outlook

Pay no attention to the Monday forecast. Nothing to see here.

Unfamiliar with J.J. Span? No more!
From his skating dreams to his struggle with diabetes to now leading through three days at TPC Sawgrass, here’s a look at Spaun’s journey.

Tee times off the first and 10th holes
Tee times and groupings for the final round of The Players Championship with inclement weather looming.

TV times for Sunday
With inclement weather in the afternoon forecast Sunday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, PGA Tour and NBC officials have adjusted TV times.