Disastrous 17th Hole Water Shot Costs Spaun Players Championship in Playoff
J.J. Spaun's playoff hopes at The Players Championship ended dramatically at TPC Sawgrass' iconic 17th hole, falling to Rory McIlroy in a three-hole playoff.
Trailing by one stroke after McIlroy's birdie on the first playoff hole (16th), Spaun faced a critical 130-yard shot at the island green 17th. While his 8-iron approach initially appeared promising, the ball flew over the green and into the water, leaving Spaun visibly confused and repeatedly asking about his ball's location.
After the water penalty, Spaun's struggles continued. He hit his third shot from the drop zone onto the green but faced a difficult chip due to an awkward lie. Two putts later, he carded a triple-bogey six, while McIlroy's bogey gave him a commanding three-shot lead heading to the final playoff hole.
McIlroy secured his second Players Championship title despite a bogey on the 18th, as Spaun conceded the hole. The victory marked McIlroy's second tournament win of the year, achieved through a decisive playoff performance that turned on Spaun's costly mistake at the infamous 17th.