Rory McIlroy to face JJ Spaun in a playoff for the Players Championship title on Monday
PLAYOFF BOUND: Rory McIlroy holds an umbrella on the 11th green during the final round of The Players Championship. Pic: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara.
Rory McIlroy will take on JJ Spaun in a playoff for the Players Championship title on Monday.
The two finished level on -12 at the end of the tournament and due to the lack of daylight, the playoff holes couldn't be played so they will need to return to the course on St Patrick's Day to play a three hole aggregate playoff.
McIlroy had climbed into the lead with seven holes to play before a storm suspended play on Sunday afternoon.
The Northern Irishman shot a score of 68 in his final round in Florida to finish on -12 overall, level with Spaun who was a hole further back.
Spaun had the chance to win it on the 18th green but his birdie putt just stopped short, meaning the tournament will have to be decided with a playoff.
"It's been a long day," McIlroy told Sky Sports shortly afterwards.
"I got off to that great start and play was called. But once we got back out there and I made the perfect start again with the birdie on 12. On the way in... I feel like I give myself chances to close the door in this golf tournament but I didn't quite do that.
"I'm going to have to do it the hard way and stay one more night and try to do it tomorrow.
"It would mean an awful lot (to win his second Players Championship). There's not many multiple Players champions, Scottie (Scheffler) has won the last two years so it would be nice to get two like him. Two like Tiger (Woods) as well, I guess.
"I have to put that out of my head, play three good holes in the morning and hopefully that's good enough."
