His peers had long faded away. There Rory McIlroy stood beside a likeable but unfamiliar journeyman on a chilly, windy Monday morning playoff with a chance to make a statement. He’d already hit his tee shot onto TPC Sawgrass’ famous 17th island green,

Only Tiger Woods has won more money playing golf than Rory McIlroy after the Irishman won The PLAYERS Championship in a playoff over JJ Spaun.

It was the first Monday finish for the golf tournament since Cameron Smith won in 2022, and the first playoff since Rickie Fowler won 10 years ago.