How did Rory McIlroy win The Players Championship 2025? Exploring the playoff

The 2025 Players Championship saw a thrilling battle between Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun for the title. The playoff took place on Monday (March 17), over three holes and would see the player with the best aggregate score emerge victorious.

The first playoff hole of the 2025 Players Championship was TPC Sawgrass’ par 5 16th hole. McIlroy smashed his drive off the tee. The drive, which carried a whopping 336 yards, found the middle of the fairway while Spaun’s 309-yard long drive found the rough to the right of the hole.

The Northern Irishman went on to hit the green and card in a birdie. Spaun’s second shot found the fairway. He two-putted the hole to record a par.

The Players Championship’s second playoff hole was played on TPC Sawgrass’ iconic par 3 17th hole. McIlroy hit a stellar iron shot on the 130-yard hole. Unfortunately, Spaun’s tee shot found the water hazard on the back of the island green. He went on to play his next shot from the drop zone. Here’s a look at Spaun’s shot on the 17th hole (via X @PGATOUR):

Rory McIlroy’s bogey on the hole sealed in the Players Championship victory for the Ryder Cup star as his competitor carded in a triple bogey 6. He went on to bogey the next playoff hole - the par 4 18th hole - to make it official.

Here’s a look at the TGL co-founder’s winning putt at the 2025 Players Championship (via X @PGATOUR):

This week’s Players Championship marked Rory McIlroy’s second victory of the PGA Tour’s 2025 season and the 28th title of his illustrious career. He carded in scores of 67, 68, 73 and 68 to total 12 under par for the week in Florida.

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Rory McIlroy's 2025 Players Championship winning scorecards

Here's a look at the winner of the 2025 Players Championship's scorecards for all four rounds at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (via PGA Tour):

Round 1 (5 under par - 67)

• Hole 1 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 2 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 3 (par 3) - 4
• Hole 4 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 5 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 6 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 7 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 8 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 9 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 10 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 11 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 12 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 13 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 14 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 15 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 16 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 17 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 18 (par 4) - 3

Round 2 (4 under par - 68)

• Hole 1 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 2 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 3 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 4 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 5 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 6 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 7 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 8 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 9 (par 5) - 3
• Hole 10 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 11 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 12 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 13 (par 3) - 4
• Hole 14 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 15 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 16 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 17 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 18 (par 4) - 6

Round 3 (1 over par - 73)

• Hole 1 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 2 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 3 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 4 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 5 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 6 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 7 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 8 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 9 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 10 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 11 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 12 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 13 (par 3) - 4
• Hole 14 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 15 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 16 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 17 (par 3) - 4
• Hole 18 (par 4) - 3

Round 4 (4 under par - 68)

• Hole 1 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 2 (par 5) - 3
• Hole 3 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 4 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 5 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 6 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 7 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 8 (par 3) - 2
• Hole 9 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 10 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 11 (par 5) - 4
• Hole 12 (par 4) - 3
• Hole 13 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 14 (par 4) - 5
• Hole 15 (par 4) - 4
• Hole 16 (par 5) - 5
• Hole 17 (par 3) - 3
• Hole 18 (par 4) - 4