McIlroy, Spaun Set for Monday Playoff at Players Championship

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun will compete in a playoff on Monday to determine the winner of The Players Championship after finishing tied at 12-under par. McIlroy, who started the final round four strokes behind Spaun, briefly took a three-shot lead but faltered with a bogey on the 14th hole, allowing Spaun to catch up with timely birdies on the 14th and 16th. The playoff will be held on the challenging holes 16, 17, and 18 at TPC Sawgrass, marking only the sixth playoff in the tournament's history. Spaun expressed his determination to overcome his past struggles with pressure, crediting a change in mindset and a weather delay that allowed him to regroup. This matchup is notable as it is the first playoff since 2015 and the first Monday finish since 2022. The playoff is set to begin at 9 a.m. ET.