Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title with a comfortable victory over JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off at Sawgrass.
It is the Northern Irishman’s second PGA Tour win of the season – and 28th of his career – and comes in the most prestigious event outside of the annual four majors.
“I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players,” said the world number two.
“It’s the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day. It’s been a good-luck charm for me.”
McIlroy dominated the play-off from the opening tee shot on the par-five 16th, booming his drive down the centre of the fairway, while Spaun could only find the rough.
The American world number 57 chopped his second into a greenside bunker and took three from there to register a par, while McIlroy, who hit his second into the centre of the green, two-putted for a birdie.
McIlroy then found the green with his tee shot on the iconic par-three 17th ‘island hole’, but Spaun dunked his ball in the water to effectively end his hopes.
He took a triple-bogey six and although McIlroy three-putted to drop a shot, his lead was three going down the last.
Both players scrambled their way down the 18th but McIlroy’s advantage was so great that he could tap in for a bogey and Spaun picked up his ball without finishing the hole.
“I feel really bad for JJ,” added McIlroy. “He hit a great shot on the 17th but it just went straight through the wind.”
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