Rory McIlroy told JJ Spaun he has the ability to reach more PGA Tour finals after their tense Players Championship battle. McIlroy, 35, required a playoff to overcome Spaun last week and scoop up his second PGA Tour victory of the campaign.
After 72 holes at Sawgrass, a three-hole playoff was needed to decide between McIlroy and the world No.57, who were both locked on 12-under-par. In the final stages, the Northern Irishman found his nerve and his best form, taking control with an immaculate drive down the centre of the fairway on the 16th hole.
J.J. Spaun and Rory McIlroy had a moment together after the Players Championship (Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
When McIlroy found the green on the iconic par-three 17th ‘Island hole’ Spaun found the water, after opting to use an 8-iron, while his more-esteemed rival choose a 9-iron. The world No.2 picked up the Championship with a three-stroke lead, leaving Spaun heartbroken.
When the competition was wrapped up, Spaun revealed that he and the four-time major winner had a brief moment together. He told the Fore Play podcast: “It was just pretty standard. He was like ‘Great playing all week, man’. You know, ‘keep doing it and you’ll be in this spot again’. And I said, ‘thanks man. I’ll get your a** next time’ and ‘Congrats’.”
McIlroy’s encouraging words and sympathy for Spaun proved the Northern Irishman has retained his humility, despite his success. Going into the final round, Spaun looked to be in pole position to scoop up the title and the $4.5 million prize money. He was four-shots ahead of McIlroy, who would go on to bridge the gap and lead Spaun by one shot after 11 holes.
Play was then curtailed due to a threat of lightning and after a four hour break, McIlroy endured a sticky patch which saw him bogey on hole 14 and then miss birdie chances on holes 15 and 16. Spaun thought he had won the title on the final hole with an astonishing 30-foot putt, but his effort stopped a matter of inches from the hole.
McIlroy and Spaun went all the way at Sawgrass ( Image: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
While he was disappointed at not going all the way, Spaun admitted he was pleased with his tournament performance. He said: “It’s hard to not feel discouraged a little bit, but nothing but positives in putting myself in contention and giving myself a chance to win in a play-off.
“If someone told me that would happen to start the week, I would totally take it. Nothing but positives to take from it and hopefully I can just learn from this and get it done next
Spaun recently hit back at critics, who blasted his decision to use an 8-iron instead of the nine. Speaking on the same podcast, the California native said: “I mean, Rory’s two clubs longer than me. He’s one of the longest guys on tour.
J.J. Spaun saw a chance of glory slip through his fingers after his shot on the 17th ( Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“Everybody knows that. And everyone’s [mocking voice], ‘Oh you hit a f—ing 9-iron when this guy hit an 8-iron, what an idiot.’ It’s like, you don’t know s—.
“I’m happy with the swing I put on it. I executed how I wanted to. You know, I was one down, I had to hit a good shot.”
In his post-match interview, McIlroy admitted he felt sorry for Spaun when he watched his ball roll into the water. The Northern Irishman said to Golf Channel: “Wind coming out of a completely different direction
“I’m just glad we didn’t have to play 18 [holes] in that, three was enough. I feel bad for J.J. He hit a really good shot on 17 and it just went straight through the wind. I was lucky to do enough to get it done.”
