Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun are tied at 12 under after 72 holes at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The final round was delayed due to thunderstorms, leading to a playoff on Monday to decide the winner. McIlroy, a PGA Tour veteran with 27 wins and four majors, is looking for his second win in three starts, while Spaun is after his second PGA Tour win in his 228th career start.
Heading into the final round, Spaun held the 54-hole lead at 12 under, with McIlroy and others close behind at eight under. McIlroy made a strong start with a birdie and an eagle in the first two holes, putting him in contention for the win. As the wind and rain picked up on the back nine, McIlroy took the solo lead at 12 under with a birdie on the 11th hole.
However, Spaun managed to keep pace with McIlroy, making a birdie on the 16th hole to tie him at 12 under. With a solid performance on the 17th and 18th, McIlroy secured a two-putt on the final hole to force a playoff with Spaun. The playoff will consist of a three-hole aggregate format, with the winner taking home the $4.5 million winner’s check.
Despite the long day of golf on Sunday, McIlroy and Spaun will return to TPC Sawgrass on Monday for the playoff to determine the champion of the 2025 Players Championship. The pressure will be on both players as they compete for one of the most prestigious titles on the PGA Tour. Stay tuned to see who emerges victorious in this thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
