2025 Players Championship: Rory vs. Spaun – A Monday Duel for Golf Immortality

It was supposed to be over by Sunday. Rory McIlroy was three shots ahead, the rain had softened the battlefield, and all signs pointed to him hoisting the gold trophy at TPC Sawgrass. But J.J. Spaun had other plans.

Against the odds, Spaun refused to fade away. He clawed back with fearless shot-making and ice-cold nerve on golf’s most terrifying closing stretch. The result? A Monday morning playoff (9 AM ET) for the $4.5 million crown—the first at The Players since Rickie Fowler’s legendary win in 2015.

David vs. Goliath? Or Just a Different Kind of Giant?

McIlroy—the four-time major champ with 38 global titles—was the clear favorite heading into Sunday’s finale. But Spaun, a gritty underdog without a single Tour Championship appearance, is proving he belongs in the big leagues.

“Everyone expects him to win. I don’t think a lot of people expect me to win,” Spaun admitted. “But I expect myself to win. That’s all I care about.”

McIlroy, visibly frustrated, isn’t backing down either. “I’m standing here feeling like I should be going home with the trophy today,” he said. “But it’s all right. I’ll reset and try to go home with the trophy tomorrow.”

Playoff Format & How to Watch

Unlike sudden-death chaos, this three-hole aggregate showdown will test who can handle the heat. Holes 16, 17, and 18—perhaps the most thrilling closing stretch in golf—will decide the 2025 Players Champion.

📺 TV: Golf Channel, 9 AM ET
📲 Streaming: Peacock (Live simulcast)

Rory’s Redemption or Spaun’s Cinderella Story?

With the pressure cranked to max, this Monday morning duel could go down as one of The Players’ most unforgettable moments. Will McIlroy rise to the occasion, or will Spaun deliver an all-time shocker?