McIlroy vs. Spaun

Seventy-two holes weren’t enough—now it’s a three-hole showdown at TPC Sawgrass.

The 2025 Players Championship delivered drama right down to the wire, and now it’s headed to a Monday playoff. Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun finished tied at 12-under after 72 holes, setting up a thrilling three-hole aggregate playoff on holes 16, 17, and 18 at TPC Sawgrass. The playoff will begin at 9 a.m. ET, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

How We Got Here

Rory McIlroy looked poised to claim his second Players Championship title after a birdie on the 12th hole extended his lead to three strokes. But J.J. Spaun, the 54-hole leader, refused to back down. Spaun birdied the 14th and 16th holes to pull even, while McIlroy stumbled with a bogey on the 14th after missing the fairway.

With McIlroy in the clubhouse at 12-under, Spaun had a chance to win it outright on the 18th hole. His 30-foot birdie putt came up just short, sealing the playoff and setting the stage for a dramatic Monday finish.

The Playoff: What to Expect

This will be McIlroy’s sixth career playoff on the PGA Tour. He boasts a 3-2 record in extra time, including his memorable win at the 2019 Players Championship. For Spaun, this marks his first playoff on tour, adding an extra layer of pressure to an already high-stakes situation.

The three-hole aggregate playoff will cover the iconic closing stretch at TPC Sawgrass: the par-5 16th, the par-3 17th (the infamous island green), and the par-4 18th. Both players will need nerves of steel to navigate these holes under pressure.

McIlroy’s Perspective

“I’ve never experienced it before. I don’t quite know. But yeah, it’s going to be cool to be a part of,” McIlroy said after his round. “I guess it’s very much just a three-hole match play scenario. That’s all it is. Just try to prepare as best I can [Monday] morning. Get a good night’s sleep. It’s been a very long day for all of us. Yeah, and just try to be as prepared as possible for tomorrow.”

Spaun’s Steady Climb

Spaun’s performance down the stretch was a masterclass in resilience. After falling three shots behind McIlroy, he hit his final seven greens in regulation, including a clutch approach on the 14th that led to a crucial birdie. His steady ball-striking and calm demeanor have put him in position to claim the biggest win of his career.

2025 Players Championship Leaderboard (Top 10)

After Round 4

Position	Player	Score	Today	R1	R2	R3	R4	Total
T1	Rory McIlroy (NIR)	-12	-4	67	68	73	68	276
T1	J.J. Spaun (USA)	-12	E	66	68	70	72	276
T3	Tom Hoge (USA)	-10	–	71	70	71	66	278
T3	Akshay Bhatia (USA)	-10	–	67	66	75	70	278
T3	Lucas Glover (USA)	-10	–	66	70	71	71	278
T6	Danny Walker (USA)	-9	–	73	70	66	70	279
T6	Corey Conners (CAN)	-9	–	71	71	66	71	279
T6	Bud Cauley (USA)	-9	–	68	71	66	74	279
9	Robert MacIntyre (SCO)	-8	–	69	70	72	69	280
T10	Collin Morikawa (USA)	-7	–	70	65	77	69	281
T10	Davis Thompson (USA)	-7	–	72	68	71	70	281

Scheffler’s Three-Peat Dream Ends

Scottie Scheffler, the two-time defending champion, finished tied for 20th at 4-under. While his tee-to-green game was solid, uncharacteristic mistakes and a cold putter kept him from making a serious run.

“I walk away from this week feeling close,” Scheffler said. “I feel like there’s some stuff that I need to work on at home, but I feel very close. Overall, I felt like I did some good things this week, felt like I could have done some other things better. But overall don’t feel far off by any means. Definitely excited to get home, get a little practice in and get ready for Houston.”

Your Turn: Who’s Your Pick to Win?

At Better Golf Academy, we love a good playoff showdown. Will it be Rory McIlroy adding another trophy to his collection, or J.J. Spaun claiming the biggest win of his career? Let us know your predictions in the comments—and don’t forget to tune in for what’s sure to be an unforgettable finish!