Golf

Rory McIlroy Wins For The Second Time At TPC Sawgrass With Play-Off Victory Over JJ Spaun At The Players Championship

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By
Paul Kelly
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Paul Kelly Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

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Published17 Mar 2025

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Rory McIlroy has won The Players Championship 2025 after defeating JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off. The Northern Irishman claim his second Players Championship triumph after victory at TPC Sawgrass in 2019 and now 2025 as well.

Rory McIlroy Beats JJ Spaun In The Players Championship Play-off

Rory McIlroy has won his second Players Championship with a clinical play-off victory against JJ Spaun at TPC Sawgrass.

Both McIlroy and Spaun were tied on -12 par after 72 holes of golf, meaning a three-hole play-off was needed to determine who would go on and lift the coveted Players Championship trophy.

An extra day’s golf was required due to bad light stopping play on Sunday, meaning McIlroy and Spaun would play the 16, 17 & 18th holes in a three-hole play-off on Monday instead.

The Northern Irishman found a four on the Par 5 16th, with the American only able to record a par. Advantage McIlroy, as the pair headed to the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass with the four-time major champion one shot in front.

McIlroy made a bogey four on 17, but disaster struck for JJ Spaun as he hit his tee shot in the water. He would eventually walk off with a triple-bogey six, meaning McIlroy had a three stroke advantage heading down the 18th.

A par would do for McIlroy, perhaps even a bogey, with Spaun’s mistake on 17 a costly one. McIlroy had a bogey five on the 18th with Spaun only able to have a par, meaning the popular Northern Irishman was The Players Championship 2025 champion.

McIlroy Wins Second Players Championship With Play-Off Victory

The best golf betting sites in the UK priced Rory McIlroy as one of the pre-tournament favourites to win at Sawgrass. He went on to do just that after a dramatic three-hole play-off against American JJ Spaun.

Monday’s victory at TPC Sawgrass means that McIlroy has now won The Players Championship on two occasions. McIlroy first tasted success around TPC Sawgrass back in 2019, when he won the event on a score of -16, beating Jim Furyk by one stroke.

Monday’s victory at The Players also means that the 35-year-old has now won a staggering 43 times as a professional golfer. He now has 28 PGA Tour wins, which goes to show just how talented a golfer the Northern Irishman is and how much he had dominated over the past 15 years.

With McIlroy’s second win at The Players Championship coming less than a month before career Grand Slam next month.

Golf Twitter REACTS The Rory McIlroy Winning The Players Championship 2025

 

Be sure to claim the various golf betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of the next PGA Tour event.

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Author photo
Paul Kelly
Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

Get to know Paul Kelly better
Author photo
Paul Kelly Sports Editor

Having worked in the sports journalism and sports betting writing industry for several years now, Paul has gained vital skill, knowledge and expertise in a variety of different sports and industries. Paul is confident and competent at writing in-depth stories, features and betting predictions on a regular basis for SportsCasting. Having worked in the sports media industry ever since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in 2020, where he attained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Journalism, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to attend numerous live sporting events on a regular basis. This includes working at some high calibre boxing, darts, UFC and football events over the years. Paul has covered a whole host of sports for BBC Sport, as well as being a consistent and regular contributor at ESBR Boxing for several years before becoming a Director in March 2024. Paul’s expertise lies in a wide range of sports, but he is particularly specialised in boxing, MMA, golf, football, darts and horse racing. He is also well-rounded in various sports which he may be less familiar with. Working in sports he is less familiar with helps him learn new skills, as well as nurturing the ability to adapt and overcome potential obstacles. Being a sports fanatic, Paul relishes the opportunity at taking on new challenges and is happy to try his hand at anything. During his time studying at university, Paul had the opportunity to gain some vital work experience at both Everton Football Club and BBC Radio 1. This has helped Paul master his knowledge of sports writing, as well as learning new skills with competence and proficiency.

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