The air was thick with anticipation as the 2025 Players Championship reached its climactic conclusion at TPC Sawgrass, with Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun set to face off in a thrilling three-hole aggregate playoff on Monday, March 17, 2025. The playoff, which will kick off at 9 a.m. ET, is the result of rain delays on Sunday, March 16, meaning the top two players finish their rounds with scores of -12 and will compete for the prestigious title.
Originally, the day was supposed to showcase the final round under sunny skies, but Mother Nature had different plans, forcing officials to postpone the playoff until Monday morning. With $4.5 million waiting for the winner and $2.725 million for the runner-up, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The day before, Lucas Glover and J.J. Spaun played remarkably well, creating excitement among fans and analysts alike. Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open winner, ended the day sharing the lead along with Spaun and 2008 Tour Championship winner Camilo Villegas, each sitting at -6 after Thursday’s round. Rory McIlroy, known for his powerful drives and impressive putting skills, was just one stroke behind, tied with fellow competitors Min Woo Lee and Billy Horschel at -5.
Glover's performance was particularly impressive, highlighted by four consecutive birdies on his final four holes, showcasing his enduring skill at the age of 45. "I deep down believe I can still compete out here at 45, and I don't want to stop anytime soon," Glover stated confidently post-round.
His statement resonates with many who watched the tournament's dynamic environment play out on the challenging course, renowned for its stunning yet treacherous layout. The famous Island Green, hole 17, often delivers dramatic moments; it was no different this time. Players faced the same brutal conditions, exemplified by Max Greyserman, who endured the day's worst misfortune with a quadruple bogey on the famous hole, dropping him from T55 to T121.
On the flip side, excitement built around players like Chandler Philips, who managed to card three eagles during his round, leading to the first time since 1983 anyone achieved such feat at the Players Championship.
The defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, also kept himself competitive, finishing at -3 for the day. His consistent play merely three strokes behind the leaders leaves many pondering if he can pull off another victory.
This year, the total purse of the Players Championship stood at $25 million, emphasizing the significance of each hole played and each stroke recorded. With three players tying for third place, Tom Hoge, Akshay Bhatia, and Lucas Glover each took home $1,325,000.
While McIlroy and Spaun prepare for their playoff face-off, the rest of the field also seeks to capitalize on their performance, as every player who made the cut stands to bring home substantial earnings. A total of 70 players are celebrating their finishes, all of which underline the competitiveness of the PGA Tour.
Players like Danny Walker and Corey Conners, who finished tied at sixth with scores of -9, earned comparable payouts of $843,750 each. Meanwhile, rising stars like Collin Morikawa and Davis Thompson shared honors tying for tenth, enjoying their respective earnings of $656,250.
Further down, Patrick Cantlay and Jake Knapp both secured $556,250 with scores of -6, reflecting the immense talent showcased by this year’s field. The firm trio of Aaron Rai, Denny McCarthy, Tommy Fleetwood, Sam Ryder, Sepp Straka, and Alex Smalley rounded out those earning $418,750 each with scores of -5, pointing to the high level of play evident throughout the tournament.
Even players who may have struggled still landed respectable finishes, with Shane Lowry and Ryan Fox both taking home $240,250 at -4. Others, such as Will Zalatoris and Russell Henley, earned lesser amounts but still found themselves on the leaderboard, promoting excitement for their fans.
Much of the narrative captures the unpredictability and thrill of golf; playing conditions at TPC Sawgrass elicit both excellence and error. This unpredictable nature was encapsulated perfectly when Justin Thomas plummeted down the leaderboard from the lead to T56 after double-triple bogeying on holes 17 and 18.
Looking toward the playoff, the overwhelming sentiment is one of eagerness and speculation. Who will emerge victorious from McIlroy and Spaun? The potential for either player to take home the coveted title leaves fans on the edge of their seats this Monday morning. Anticipation ripples through the crowds as spectators eagerly await what promises to be not just another golf match, but rather, another chapter of history at the Players Championship.
The Players Championship remains one of the premier events on the PGA Tour, capturing the essence of competitive spirit, persistence, and excellence across the golfing world. With every twist and turn of the tournament, players and fans alike remind us why we tune in, far beyond the numbers on the scoreboard.