He bumps a fine chip straight at the hole; it slips off to the right and he’s left with five-footer coming back up the hill. Back on 11, Rory sends his drive into sand down the left, but his lie is perfect and he can lash a long iron into the heart of the par five. In it goes! The runner-up finish moves him high enough in the rankings to qualifying for the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in two weeks. -16: McIlroy (16)-15: Furyk (F)-14: Pepperell (F), Vegas (F), Snedeker (17). There’s not a flicker of emotion on his face as he strides towards the green, the crowd going wild. At -16, one shot ahead of Jim Furyk, he’s the champion! Rory McIlroy 8/1 Jon Rahm 12/1 Justin Thomas 16/1 Patrick Cantlay 20/1 Bryson DeChambeau 20/1 Dustin Johnson 25/1 Tommy Fleetwood 25/1 Pars for Rahm and Fleetwood, the Spaniard signing for an extremely disappointing final round of 76, the Englishman a similarly distressing 73. And he can’t afford any slip-ups, because up on 18, Furyk belts a drive down the left-hand side of the fairway, prime position, then screeches a wedge to three feet! PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Rory McIlroy made two late birdies amid the wild theatrics of Sunday at THE PLAYERS Championship and closed with a 2-under 70. A bogey, and he slips to -13, two off Furyk’s mark. Rory McIlroy's interview after winning THE PLAYERS. That was a sensational shot. And his playing partner Jon Rahm follows him in the water, attempting an absurd snap hook around a tree from a bunker, going for the green instead of taking his medicine and chipping out. He rolls it in dead weight, and returns to -14. But the birdie putt lips out. A pair of pars. This is such a great tournament. Rahm was still in the game until he failed to birdie the 16th, and then put his tee shot in the water on the 17th. And in it goes! First Pepperell, and now this. He responded with his best shot of the day to 15 feet for birdie. Yet another 54-hole leader at the Players who can’t seal the deal. Although still in the relatively early part of his pro golf career, McIlroy already rates as the all-time best golfer from Ireland. Nobody has ever successfully defended the Players. McIlroy is left with a 30-foot eagle putt across the 11th. If I hadn’t have won today, I would have said I don’t need a win going to Augusta. Furyk takes a couple of steps back in frustration, then suddenly remembers where he is, and spins round just in time, ensuring he doesn’t topple into the water. Very proud, very honored to be able to call myself a Players Champion. He’ll have a testing second into the green. Not quite up there with Rickie Fowler’s carpe-diem moment in 2015, but that bar’s set at an unfair height. The Players Championship (commonly known as simply The Players, stylized by the PGA Tour as The PLAYERS Championship) is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour.Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, it began in 1974. He’s the new clubhouse leader at -15. He’s the new clubhouse leader at -12. Especially on this golf course, that plays similar to the way Augusta will play in a few weeks time. He’s one good drive away from asking some serious questions of the players who still have a few holes to play. But here’s what we DID know heading into the 2019 THE PLAYERS Championship:-The field is stacked.-Team TaylorMade entered the tournament in excellent form—and with a little history on its side. -14: Pepperell (17), Furyk (14), McIlroy (11), Rahm (10)-13: Fleetwood (10), Snedeker (13), Vegas (16)-12: Matsuyama (F), Harman (13), Ancer (12). Rory McIlroy Tournament Results Season: Select 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2021 PGA Season Overview If he makes the putt, as he surely must, he’ll be signing for a 67 and will set a new clubhouse lead of -15! Then, McIlroy hit the longest drive of the round on the par-5 16th, leaving him a 9-iron from a good lie in the rough to set up a two-shot birdie and the lead. Furyk didn't know he was in THE PLAYERS until one week ago, and he was on the verge of winning until McIlroy came through in the end. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy made two late birdies amid the wild theatrics of Sunday at The Players Championship and closed with a 2-under 70 to win … Rory McIlroy WINS Players Championship and targets Masters victory RORY MCILROY won the Players Championship with a storming final round … The crowd go ballistic. He remains at -14 ... though he’s got a share of the lead now, because Rory shoves a dreadful five-foot putt wide right at 14, and that’s a completely needless bogey. If Rory McIlroy is not to join the fans in their premature exit through the gates here at The Player Championship then he will need to replicate the form of his last three holes. Rory McIlroy's victory means he emulates a certain Scottish great at Sawgrass. He sends a big slice round a tree and into the heart of the green, then sinks the 20-footer he was left with! He’s on the brink of posting a properly testing clubhouse mark! Perfect weight. Vegas launches his second at 16 into the heart of the green. Available for everyone, funded by readers. So Rory won The Players Championship in a way that reminded us why there’s no one more fun to watch when he says screw it, let’s cook. Although a different month, Rory McIlroy’s win at the Players Championship marked a two-year anniversary of sorts. Rory McIlroy relies on experience as he wins Players Championship McIlroy "proud and honoured" to become Players champion after one-shot win at … Birdie for Fleetwood at 12. Rory McIlroy reacts to winning the Players Championship and how the culmination of experiences being in contention this season helped him prevail at TPC Sawgrass Still no maiden victory on the PGA Tour for Tommy. But no. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. For the best website experience, we recommend updating your browser. And it does: he creams a 7-iron straight at the flag, the ball getting a little help onwards from a sprinkler head and stopping three feet from the flag! “And he’s been on a roll ever since.” Defending Players champion Rory McIlroy (with caddie Harry Diamond) enters the 2020 Players Championship as the No. I just tried to treat it like another day. He whips his iron straight and hard, and it only just reaches the front of the green. He played the back nine wonderfully, his sensational second into 15 the moment he simply refused to let this one slip away. 6.11pm EDT 18:11. Can McIlroy close it out with a par on 18? -14: Pepperell (F), Vegas (F), Furyk (17), McIlroy (14), Rahm (13)-13: Snedeker (15), Fleetwood (13). If he keeps these levels up, there’s a fair chance he’ll become only the seventh player in the entire history of men’s golf to complete a career grand slam. What it means: This is McIlroy’s first Players Championship victory, his 15th PGA Tour title, and his first worldwide win in 365 days, since last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 18, 2018). Dustin can only make par at 17. Also heading very much the right way: Eddie Pepperell, who has just chipped in from the side of 15 to move to -12 as well. His only regret was a 3-foot par putt on the 15th. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA.—Rory McIlroy made two late birdies amid the wild theatrics of Sunday at The Players Championship and closed with a 2-under 70 to win the next best thing to a major. McIlroy, a former FedExCup champion, earned 600 FedExCup points, a $2.25 million check and is the proud owner of the redesigned PLAYERS trophy. His ball hits the sleeper, and pings off into the murky blue. A street-fighting four for Furyk at 14, chipping close from the thick stuff to the side of the green. He’ll have certainly taken that when the ball was in mid air, taking all his hopes and dreams with it. Rory McIlroy’s winning speech (abridged). Rory McIlroy began turning heads in his mid-teens, turned pro before age 20, and then turned into a major force on the world golf stage. How much did he win? He’s left with an uphill eagle putt from 20 feet, fairly straight. Rahm’s drive at 15 finds a cart path deep in trees down the left. It’s unlikely to be enough but ... altogether now ... you never know. Never mind, it’s a kick-in birdie, and he moves to -13, one off the lead. He’s rewarded for his bravery as his ball lands 12 feet behind the flag. Rory wins The Players Championship at Sawgrass. The World No. That was a tough battle. At -13, he’s moving back in the right direction. Bedlam! Po’ Tom’s a-cold. Tiger won the comp last year. https://www.pgatour.com/.../03/17/rory-mcilroy-wins-at-the-players.html He was solid to the end on a chilly, cloudy day and finished at 16-under 272 to win The Players on his 10th try. Both players won three times, including one limited-field event each. McIlroy turned in big time wins (The Players, RBC Canadian, Tour Championship), but so did Koepka (CJ Cup, PGA Championship, WGC FedEx St. Jude). Snedeker pops in another birdie, at 12, and he’s one off the lead at -13. That’s so unfortunate. Three-hole play-off, anybody? But he really stepped it up after the turn, and is able to add the unofficial fifth major to his collection of four proper ones. He fires a 178-yard approach at the par-five to 20 feet. He probably didn’t mean to draw the shot quite so far left, with the water over there, not so far from the flag. HOW RORY MCILROY WON THE PLAYERS As he has done in seemingly every tournament lately, McIlroy got off to a hot start, shooting rounds of 67 and 65 to establish himself as one of the top contenders after two rounds . He’ll have a look at birdie from just inside Pepperell Country. "Magic," Vegas said. Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Explore. Today, on St. Patrick’s Day, the Northern Irishman sealed the deal to capture his 15th career PGA Tour victory at the 2019 PLAYERS Championship and win a golden trophy to go with his gold shoes. But not for long: the pair enjoy a laugh, a smile and a warm embrace. You’d need a stone-cold heart not to feel sorry for Furyk here. His race is run. Along with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, he is one of three players to win four majors by the age of 25. Rory McIlroy wins the 2019 Players' Championship – live! PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered trademarks. It’s not dissimilar in shape or vibe to Justin Rose’s mugging of Phil Mickelson on the 17th at Medinah in that Ryder Cup! So all is not yet lost. Snedeker is within one at -14, finding the 16th green with a couple of big booms, then rolling his long eagle putt to kick-in distance. He’ll need to chip in from there if he’s to have any chance now! He won’t be, of course, but hats off to him for trying. Rory McIlroy featured in a special live Watchalong of his Players Championship victory on Sky Sports, providing plenty of special stories from his 2019 success. That gives him a one-stroke lead over clubhouse leader Furyk at -16 ... but the 17th and 18th await. Could his long Sunday suffering end today? But at -10 he’s a little shy. Up on 18, Snedeker’s chip finds the green but never looks like going in. McIlroy has had a strong start to the 2018-19 PGA Tour season, finishing in the top six in his last five starts, but victories have been elusive of late. 2018 . One of those you just knew was dropping 12 feet from the flag. More sensational scenes on 17! Rory McIlroy put a host of near-misses behind him with a win at the Players. And it’s going to set him up for possible victory, because back on 17, Fleetwood, the only man left who can realistically catch him at -16, goes for the flag. Rory McIlroy is one of the PGA Tour's most marketable players with only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson earning more off the course. -16: McIlroy-15: Furyk-14: Pepperell, Vegas-13: D Johnson, Snedeker, Fleetwood (17). He’s -14, just two behind with two to play. 2019 Players Championship leaderboard, grades: Rory McIlroy wins by getting tough on the weekend McIlroy continued his stellar play at TPC Sawgrass, this time notching a win … Last year’s champion Webb Simpson gave it a good go, though: he’s just signed for a final-day 68 to go alongside three rounds of 70. Furyk, one of the last players to get in the strongest field in golf, capped off a 67 with a shot so good into the 18th that he started walking when he hit it. He has practiced patience the last three months, and he needed it after hitting into the water at No. He doesn’t catch his approach at the par-five, and he’s wet. Has 13 wins in America, most recently the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2018. Rory McIlroy Fends Off All Challengers to Win Players Championship Rory McIlroy dealt with quite a few challengers on Sunday, but he was able to pull out the win at Sawgrass. He was solid to the end on a chilly, cloudy day and finished at 16-under 272 to win THE PLAYERS on his 10th try. It was also nice to get in contention, to get under the heat, to have to hit shots under a lot of pressure, and then to respond well to that and hit some good golf shots. Rory McIlroy Fends Off All Challengers to Win Players Championship Rory McIlroy dealt with quite a few challengers on Sunday, but he was able to pull out the win at Sawgrass. Close. Matsuyama only just gets over the water at 17! It was miles short. Ludicrously so! Meanwhile on 17, heartbreak for Schniederjans, who having nearly eagled 16 but settled for birdie, dumps his tee shot in the drink. -14: Furyk (14), McIlroy (11), Rahm (10)-13: Pepperell (16), Snedeker (12), Ancer (11), Fleetwood (10)-12: Matsuyama (17), Vegas (15), Harman (13)-11: Rose (16), DeChambeau (17), Scott (14), D Johnson (13). “It’s very special. Read more A series of near misses had led to external questions regarding McIlroy’s ability or hunger, even before he turns 30. The crowd surrounding the 17th erupts as Rory takes to the tee. 2018. The grand old boy teases his putt, which has a huge right-to-left curl, towards the hole. Going down 16 at -12, he needs something to happen now. Rory McIlroy, the new Players champion, speaks! His compatriot Justin Rose escaped with a par earlier today after making the same mistake. He is a four-time major champion, winning the 2011 U.S Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, and 2014 PGA Championship. Although still in the relatively early part of his pro golf career, McIlroy already rates as the all-time best golfer from Ireland. Don’t miss anything from the PGA TOUR & its partners, Connect to get special offers and updates, Sign up for the Monthly Minute newsletter, Will feature 23 tournaments during calendar year, Why he's built for sustained success in pro golf. Meanwhile back on 16, Fleetwood taps in for his eagle. Day is up first. Rory McIlroy made five birdies in his final 10 holes at TPC Sawgrass on Sunday to win The Players Championship. To get that birdie on 15 after the dropped shot on 14 was massive. Tied for the lead, he was in a bunker, 220 yards away, partially blocked by trees on the par-5 11th when he decided to go for the green. Player Championship odds to win. Snedeker caresses a fine tee shot into 17. A wonderful eagle chance that could thrust him back into contention at the death! He closed with a 76 and tied for 12th. Well, it’s not ideal, but it’s dry. https://www.pgatour.com/.../03/17/rory-mcilroy-wins-at-the-players.html Rahm becomes the latest player to regain some momentum. Rory McIlroy overcame Xander Schauffele in a play-off to win his third World Golf Championships title at the WGC-HSBC Champions. Sandy Lyle was the only British player to win the Players Championship and that was back in 1987. 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