There were just 3 holes in the playoffs. It took Rory McIlroy just 3 swings. However, his triumph over J.J. Spaun in THE PLAYERS Championship on Monday exposed a great deal about both the brutality of the infamous TPC Sawgrass and the condition of his game.
On the par-3 17th hole, McIlroy knocked off J.J. Spaun early with his best drive of the week, which set him a straightforward birdie. He then hit a 3-quarter 9-iron against a chilly, roaring wind that found land on the island green.
“I certainly didn’t have my best game this week. Nevertheless, I managed to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions. That’s a big deal.” McIlroy stated after winning THE PLAYERS for the 8th time.
Before the Masters, which has prevented him from earning the career Grand Slam and joining golf’s most prestigious group for over 10 years, he has won twice for the first time in his career.
On the second playoff hole, Spaun thought he had the answer, but his chances of winning the biggest game of his career were dashed when he witnessed his 8-iron soar past the island.
“I need to watch this” Spaun remarked while seated at a table and watching a video of his tee shot from the 17th on a television in the rear of the media centre. He had never seen the ball land just past the wooden frame and into the water. Only moans from the gallery had reached his ears.
He still found it hard to believe.
“It never seemed long to me. “ he said quietly.
Thus concluded an unforgettable week at the most prestigious golf tournament, where thousands of fans braved the cold and wind to watch McIlroy, one of the most renowned players with 39 global victories, play Spaun, a 34-year-old with one PGA TOUR title who had never broken 70 on the TPC Sawgrass until this week.
According to McIlroy, he woke up at 3 in the morning and was unable to fall back asleep. He had a 3-shot lead with 5 holes remaining in the final round on Sunday, so it didn’t matter if his goal was to win or avoid losing.
Using the same favourable wind off to the right, he practiced his tee shot. McIlroy turned and shot balls from the range towards the 3rd green to get some practice in the right wind for the 17th hole.
Throughout the week, McIlroy had been inconsistent off the tee, missing over half of his fairways. 176 yards into the 16th par-5, he lined up a pitching wedge for a two-putt birdie from 35 feet which was set up by his finest shot of the week, a 336-yard blast straight down the middle.
“I reasoned that it would put some pressure on J.J. if I could get the ball in the fairway there. It was amazing to step up and make that swing.” he said.
On the 17th, it essentially came to an end.
“It basically ended on the 17th.” McIlroy said.
Spaun’s first reaction was to cry, “Get up,” as he whacked his 8-iron with a higher trajectory into a stiff breeze off the right.
“It simply appeared to be going to be brief. I was taken aback. I was surprised by how long it was. I’m pleased with the swing I installed. It must have simply gone through the breeze once the wind laid down a bit. It wasn’t the right time for me.” Spaun said.
Due to a 4-hour rain delay on Sunday, THE PLAYERS saw its first 3-hole playoff in a decade. On the 72nd hole, McIlroy had to make a 4-foot par putt. Spaun came within inches of winning with a 30-foot birdie putt.
“Make five good swings tomorrow morning and get this thing done,” McIlroy said, looking ahead to the playoffs after losing a 3-shot lead on the back nine.
He beat Spaun and took home the $4.5 million prize from the $25 million purse by using just 3 shots, the driver and wedge on No. 16 and the 9-iron on No. 17.
It brought back memories of the 2008 playoff matchup between Paul Goydos and Sergio Garcia, when the 17th was used in sudden death. Garcia hit the green. Goydos shot fell into the water, and the walk to the drop zone knowing the game has ended is the most lonely thing there is.
Spaun ended up making triple bogey after three-putting from 45 feet. McIlroy led by three shots after he hit a 30-footer well beyond the hole for a bogey. On the 18th, both hit drives performed admirably. Spaun didn’t bother putting the 10-footer he had left for bogey, and McIlroy took a safe bogey.
McIlroy knows the actual one, the big one, is a month away at Augusta National, so he doesn’t want to hear any talk about THE PLAYERS becoming the fifth major or even something like it. Now, it’s a matter of maintaining his game. Last month, he also took home the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title. Before the Masters, he intends to make one more start in Houston or San Antonio.
“Right now, everything seems to be operating smoothly. Simply keep practicing, doing the right things, and developing the proper habits; these will all add up to days like today day after day, week after week.” he said.
After finishing in second place, Spaun earned $2,725,000 and rose to No. 25 in the world rankings, which is high enough to guarantee him a place at the Masters.
“A good consolation to the week” Spaun said.
