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Rory McIlroy's Immediate Reaction to J.J. Spaun's Meltdown in The Players Playoff

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Adams | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 10:14 AM ET

J.J. Spaun was inches short of winning The Players Championship on Sunday, but a short putt created a path for Rory McIlroy to force a playoff on Monday. Unfortunately for Spaun, the golfer found the water on the 17th hole during the playoff which ultimately derailed his chances of securing The Players trophy.

During the three-hole playoff, Spaun struggled to find the same form that had the golfer in the lead for much of the weekend.

After the victory, McIlroy gave his immediate reaction to Spaun's performance. McIlroy was a gracious victor, pointing to the wind creating an unlucky shot for Spaun.

"I feel bad for J.J., he hit a really good shot on 17 and it just went straight through the wind," McIlroy told NBC Sports on Monday immediately after securing The Players Championship.

"I was lucky to do enough to get it done."

As for Spaun, the golfer labeled his strike as "too good" while noting the wind took the ball into the water.

"So, it was the perfect club," Spaun said of the shot on the 17th hole. "I hit it, I guess, just too good. Kind of went right through the wind.

"I almost was telling it in my head to get up, because it looked like it was kind of floating," Spaun added.

"... I hit a great shot. I did what I needed to do. It just didn't work out in my favor."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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