Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun are set to face off in the playoff for the Players Championship after they both finished the weather-disrupted fourth round at TPC Sawgrass tied at 12 under par. The playoff will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m. UK time, which is 9 a.m. ET, following delays due to inclement weather.
During the stunning final round, McIlroy began four shots behind overnight leader Spaun but quickly surged to the top of the leaderboard. After making birdie on the first hole, he followed with an impressive eagle from 10 feet on the par-five second hole, achieved with a long-iron approach from 230 yards. This performance took him to 12 under par, one shot clear of Spaun before play was suspended.
Unfortunately for McIlroy, the weather did not cooperate. The final round was suspended at 1:15 p.m. ET due to the threat of lightning, which disrupted his momentum. After the suspension, players were delayed for four hours, causing anxiety and uncertainty among spectators and competitors alike. When play resumed, McIlroy rolled in another birdie on the 12th hole, extending his lead to three shots.
Despite his strong start, McIlroy faced challenges along the way. He bogeyed the 14th hole after going wide off the tee, which allowed Spaun to capitalize by scoring birdies on the same hole and on the 16th. This brought Spaun even with McIlroy, with both players now tied as they entered the final stretch of their rounds.
Spaun, who had covered his first eight holes in two over par, began to find his rhythm as he birdied the ninth hole before the weather delay. After play resumed, McIlroy's lead was short-lived. He missed several key birdie opportunities on the 15th hole, and Spaun kept the pressure on, drawing himself level with McIlroy with another birdie.
Both players each registered pars on the final two holes. Spaun came close to clinching victory on the 18th, as his birdie putt stopped just inches short of the cup. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd on the edge of their seats as both players demonstrated their high-caliber skills right until the very end.
Tomorrow’s playoff presents McIlroy with another chance to add to his resume, as he seeks to secure his second Players Championship title, having previously won this prestigious tournament in 2019. The playoff format will consist of three holes, and it is expected to be filled with tension and excitement for golf fans.
With McIlroy being the world number two and Spaun showing remarkable resilience, the matchup promises to be thrilling. McIlroy will be determined to reclaim his lead after falling from grace late in the round, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s finest under pressure. Conversely, Spaun will aim to ride the momentum of his strong finish and capitalize on McIlroy’s slip-ups.
The Players Championship has always been seen as the unofficial fifth major of golf, and with both players tied, the stakes could not be higher. Fans eagerly await tomorrow’s contest, hoping for another chapter of drama and skill on the iconic TPC Sawgrass course.
Expectations are high for the playoff encounter, and it is sure to attract viewers from around the globe as golf enthusiasts tune in to see whether McIlroy can claim victory or if Spaun will capture his first major title. The battle for the Players Championship will undoubtedly keep fans engaged until the last putt falls.