The Players Championship: Rory McIlroy faces play-off against JJ Spaun after gripping final round
McIlroy started four with eight shots but pulled the bird out under the first and then got three eagles in five-shot five, almost eliminating the Spaun’s advantage.
After seven-of-seven bogey, Spaun joined the leader with the birdies in the eighth place and maintained his first place despite the ongoing challenges between Spaun and fellow Americans Akshay Bhatia and Tom Hoge.
Due to the danger of lightning, he paused the 14-foot birdie putt in the Stage 11 with a 17:15 match to capture the solo with a huge 14-foot birdie putt.
When the game finally recovered four hours later, McIlroy immediately ran with a three-shot lead in the 12th Birds, and Spaun Bogey was 11th.
However, a ragged bogey at No. 14 closed the gap and increased tensions on this famous golf course.
The four-time major champion then missed a brief birdie chance in 15th and 16th, and Spaun joined him as a 12-bike in the 12-16.
The 34-year-old American showed a good touch on the green, taking par 17th in the infamous island cave, while McIlroy scored two shots from 70 feet on the 18th as his four-foot putt fell into the shadows, causing his cheek to surface.
Spaun’s last approach was also short, allowing himself 30 feet to win a career-changing championship. He looked frustrated when his ball stopped a few inches away.
However, he will get a second chance. He will join McIlroy in the 16th edition on Monday for a three-hole play-off after Sunday’s marathon.
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