Thousands of spectators appeared in the cold and the wind for 47 minutes of golf when Rory Mcilroy won the players championship.
The first three-hole play-off in 10 years in the players took place among Mcilroy, among the most famous players who now have 39 world victories, and John Michael “JJ” Spaun JR, a 34-year-old player with a title of PGA Tour that until this week had never broken 70 in the TPC Sawgrass, due to a four-hour rain delay.
The play-off was only three holes and Mcilroy only needed three swings, since he claimed the richest golf tournament for the second time.
His last victory, in 2019, also fell on San Patricio’s day: “It has been a charm of good luck for me,” said the Irish of the North.
Mcilroy’s victory over Spaun on Monday revealed a lot about the state of his game and the cruel nature of the notorious TPC Sawgras.
Mcilroy delivered an early knockout against Span with his best impulse of the week that established a simple birdie, followed by a cold wind and three quarters of iron in a cold and rural wind that found land in the Green Island in par 3 17.
“I had no way my best things this week,” Mcilroy said after becoming the eighth multiple winner of the players.
“But I could still win one of the world’s biggest tournaments. That is something huge.”
It is the first time in his career that has won the Masters twice, the specialization that for more than a decade has prevented him from joining the most elite group of golf with the Grand Slam race.
Rory Mcilroy last won the players championship in 2019. (AP Photo: Julia DeMaree Nikhinson)
Spaun thought he had the perfect answer until he saw his 8 iron candle on the island in the second Play-Off hole, ending his hopes of the greatest victory of his career.
“Can I see this?” Spaun said as he sat at a table, his eyes trained on a television on the back of the Media Center that showed a repetition of his TEE touch on 17.
It was the first time that the ball landed, right beyond the wooden frame and to the water. He had heard only gallery groans.
And I still couldn’t believe it.
“I never thought it was long,” he said quietly. “I never thought it was long.”
Mcilroy said he woke up at 3 am and could not sleep again. If it was about trying to win or try not to lose, I had a three -shooting advantage with five holes to play in the final round on Sunday, it didn’t matter.
He worked in his exit blow with the same helping to fly to the right. To practice in the right wind for 17, Mcilroy turned and hit balls from the range to the third green.
Mcilroy had been in the shirt throughout the week, losing almost half of its streets. He established the tone with his best moment, an explosion of 336 yards in the middle that established a launch wedge from 176 yards in torque 5 16 for a two -foot buldie from 35 feet.
“I thought that if I could get the ball on the street there, it exerts some pressure on JJ,” he said. “Passing and doing that swing was amazing.”
And then effectively ended 17.
“When my ball was in the air, I was telling him to get off,” Mcilroy said.
Spaun hit his 8-Hierro with a higher trajectory in an injured wind on the right, and his first instinct was to shout: “Get up.”
“It seemed to be short,” Spaun said. “I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it was long. I am happy with the swing that I put, I’m.
JJ Spaun could not believe that he hit his shot for a long time on 17. (AP Photo: Chris O’Meara)
Mcilroy had to make a 4 feet putt on the 72. Span hole had a 30 -foot putt birdie for the victory that stopped centimeters.
Mcilroy, disappointed and having lost a three-shooting advantage in the nine of the back, looked towards the play-off saying: “Make five good swings tomorrow morning and do this.”
It turns out that I only needed three, the driver and the wedge at number 16, the 9-room at number 17, to overcome Span and claim the US4.5 million ($ 7 million) prize of the US25 million bag.
It was a reminiscence of a 2008 play-off between Sergio García and Paul Goydos, when 17 was used in sudden death. Garcia hit the green. The Goydos fell short and got into the water, and there is no more lonely walk than to the fall zone knowing that it is over.
Spaun finished three 45 feet putting for a triple bogey. Mcilroy ran his feet of 30 feet beyond the hole for a bogey, giving him a three -shooting advantage. Both blows lead well on the 18th. Mcilroy took a safe flag and Spaun did not bother to set the foot of 10 feet that had gone to Bogey.
Any mention that the players are the fifth major or even look like one is not where Mcilroy wants to go now because the real one knows, the big one is a month in Augusta National.
The trick now is to keep your game in good place. He also won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month. Plan to add a more start in Houston or San Antonio before the Masters.
“Everything seems to be in good condition at this time,” he said.
“Keep practicing and doing the right things and practicing the right habits, and day after day, week after week, everyone adds to days like today.”
Spaun won US2,725,000 for its finalist and went to number 25 in the world ranking, high enough to have a place in the masters.
“A good comfort a week,” Spaun said.
AP/Reuters
