Name: Rory McIlroy, J.J. Spaun relive epic 2025 playoff at THE PLAYERS
Uploaded: 2026-03-10T13:00:00.000Z
Duration: 151 s
Description: Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun reflect on the difficult and nerve-wracking conditions they faces during their three-hole playoff at the 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship. McIlroy defeated Spaun to claim his second PLAYERS title and 28th win of his PGA TOUR career.

The famed Blue Monster Course is back: Trump National Doral was an annual stop on TOUR for more than 50 years, and after a decade hiatus, the best in the world return this week for the Cadillac Championship. Enjoy this edition of “Golf Is Hard,” featuring Rory McIlroy’s losing battle with a greenside bunker, Kevin Streelman’s caddie climbing a palm tree, Tiger Woods’ tussle with a fairway bunker and plenty of pros eating their share of humble pie on the difficult track.

Golf Is Hard: Trump National Doral's Blue Monster Course

In the final round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's tee shot on the 182-yard, par-3 fourth hole landed on the right green 2 feet from the hole, and he made the 2-foot putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 2 feet, sets up birdie on No. 4 at RBC Heritage

In the third round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 315-yard, par-4 ninth hole went 219 yards into the right fairway, his 96-yard approach landed on the left green 3 feet 1 inch from the hole, and he made the 3-foot 1-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun gets up-and-down from 96 yards for birdie on No. 9 at RBC Heritage

In the third round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 555-yard, par-5 fifth hole went 301 yards into the left fairway, his 250-yard approach landed on the left green 11 feet 9 inches from the hole, and he made the 11-foot-9-inch putt for eagle.

J.J. Spaun reaches par-5 No. 5 in two, makes eagle at RBC Heritage

In the third round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 553-yard, par-5 second hole went 296 yards into the left fairway, his 238-yard approach landed in the right bunker 52 feet 11 inches from the hole, his 47-foot 6-inch bunker shot settled on the right green 5 feet 5 inches away, and he made the 5-foot 5-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun drains 5-foot putt for birdie on No. 2 at RBC Heritage

In the third round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 419-yard, par-4 first hole went 293 yards into the right fairway, his 123-yard approach landed on the left green 15 feet from the hole, and he made the 15-foot putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun's 123-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 1 at RBC Heritage

In the second round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 427-yard, par-4 16th went 290 yards into the left fairway, his 125-yard approach landed on the right green 23 feet 6 inches from the hole, and he made the 23-foot-6-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun drains 24-foot birdie putt on No. 16 at RBC Heritage

In the opening round of the 2026 RBC Heritage, J.J. Spaun makes birdie on the par-3 4th hole.

J.J. Spaun makes birdie on No. 4 at RBC Heritage

Relive some of Rory McIlroy's best shots through the first three months of the 2026 PGA TOUR season.

Rory McIlroy's top shots of 2026 (so far ...)

Rick Gehman joins the Golfbet team as they debate if anyone has a chance to erase Rory McIlroy's six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National.

Masters Round 2 recap: Can anyone catch Rory McIlroy?

Check out the best escape shots of Rory McIlroy’s career, from low punches out of the trees to threading tight windows and digging out of deep rough.

Rory McIlroy's best escape shots of his career

Take a closer look at Rory McIlroy’s journey to becoming the sixth male golfer to complete the career Grand Slam with his victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament. 

Rory McIlroy’s journey to completing career Grand Slam

The Golfbet team looks at whose odds have gone up and down over the last few months to help give you value with your picks for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. 

DraftKings odds movement: Whose stock is up at Masters?

Go behind the scenes with J.J. Spaun after he claims the 2026 Valero Texas Open for his third career PGA TOUR victory. Follow along as Spaun receives a pair of cowboy boots and takes photos with the trophy.

Mic’d up with J.J. Spaun after winning Valero

 Check out the best shots from the 2026 Valero Texas Open, including a tournament-deciding drive from J.J. Spaun, impressive chip-in from Ludvig Åberg and more.

Austin Smotherman’s hole-in-one leads Shots of the Week

After winning his second Valero Texas Open in 2026 and his third PGA TOUR title, J.J. Spaun discusses the thoughts and emotions after the victory, a tough start to the 2026 season and a shifted mentality recently that's led to better recent results. 

J.J. Spaun news conference after winning Valero

Check out the best bets that cashed at the 2026 Valero Texas Open, featuring live wagers on winner J.J. Spaun, Michael Kim's top-five finish and Austin Smotherman cashing in with a hole-in-one.

Winning wagers: Top five bets that hit at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun shoots a 5-under 67 to get to 17-under par for the tournament, winning his third PGA TOUR title, his second at the event, by one shot.

J.J. Spaun Round 4 highlights from Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun makes a critical up-and-down par save at the par-5 18th hole to finish 17-under par. In the final group of the day, Robert MacIntyre attempts a 30-foot birdie putt to tie the lead at the par-5 18th and misses, sealing Spaun's third PGA TOUR title. After clinching the win, Spaun discusses the emotions of winning for the third time on the PGA TOUR and finding the winner's circle after a tough start to the 2026 season.

J.J. Spaun seals third win with 72nd-hole par, Robert MacIntyre miss at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun makes eagle on the par-4 17th hole.

J.J. Spaun drives 307-yard par 4, converts eagle putt to take lead

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun makes birdie on the par-3 16th hole.

J.J. Spaun nearly aces No. 16 at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero Texas Open, J.J. Spaun makes birdie on the par-5 14th hole.

J.J. Spaun makes birdie on No. 14 at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 299-yard drive on the 439-yard, par-4 10th landed in the left rough, leaving 146 yards to the hole. His 142-yard approach shot from the rough landed on the right green, finishing 15 feet 2 inches from the hole. Spaun made a 15-foot 2-inch putt for birdie, remaining at 2-under par and tied for first place.

J.J. Spaun hits 142-yard approach to 15 feet, sets up birdie on No. 10 at Valero

In the final round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 337-yard drive on the 605-yard, par-5 second hole landed in the right rough, leaving 268 yards to the hole. His 256-yard shot from the fairway landed on the left green, finishing 44 feet 1 inch from the hole. Spaun missed a 42-foot putt, leaving 2 feet 2 inches. He made the 2-foot-2-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun gets up-and-down from 44 feet for birdie on No. 2 at Valero

In the third round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 309-yard drive on the 575-yard, par-5 14th landed in the right rough, leaving 253 yards to the hole. His 239-yard shot from the rough landed in the right bunker, finishing 46 feet 11 inches from the cup. Spaun's 56-foot 5-inch shot from the greenside bunker landed on the right green, finishing 10 feet 2 inches from the hole. He made a 10-foot 2-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun drains 10-foot birdie putt on No. 14 at Valero

In the third round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 205-yard drive on the 205-yard, par-3 13th landed on the left green and finished 4 feet 4 inches from the hole. He made a 4-foot-4-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 4 feet, sets up birdie on No. 13 at Valero

In the third round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 305-yard drive on the 456-yard, par-4 ninth landed in the right rough, leaving 151 yards to the hole. His 154-yard approach shot from the rough landed on the left green, finishing 8 feet 9 inches from the cup. Spaun made the 8-foot 9-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun hits 154-yard approach to 9 feet, sets up birdie on No. 9 at Valero

In the third round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 594-yard, par-5 eighth hole went 298 yards into the right fairway, leaving 295 yards to the hole. His 284-yard shot from the fairway landed on the left green, 41 feet 8 inches from the cup. Spaun missed a 43-foot 3-inch putt, finishing 14 inches from the hole. He made the 14-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun's 284-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 8 at Valero

In the second round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 290-yard drive on the 486-yard, par-4 fourth landed in the right fairway, leaving 194 yards to the hole. His 195-yard approach shot from the fairway landed on the left green, finishing 18 feet 5 inches from the hole. Spaun made an 18-foot 5-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun drains 19-foot birdie putt on No. 4 at Valero

In the second round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's 160-yard drive on the 159-yard, par-3 third hole landed on the left green and finished 12 feet 8 inches from the hole. He made the 12-foot 8-inch putt.

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 13 feet, sets up birdie on No. 3 at Valero

In the second round of the 2026 Valero, J.J. Spaun's drive on the 608-yard, par-5 18th went 335 yards into the right fairway, leaving 264 yards to the hole. His 245-yard shot from the fairway landed on the left green, finishing 58 feet 6 inches from the hole. Spaun missed a 57-foot 5-inch putt, leaving 13 inches for his final putt. He made the 13-inch putt for birdie.

J.J. Spaun's 245-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 18 at Valero

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun reflect on the difficult and nerve-wracking conditions they faces during their three-hole playoff at the 2025 THE PLAYERS Championship. McIlroy defeated Spaun to claim his second PLAYERS title and 28th win of his PGA TOUR career.

Rory McIlroy, J.J. Spaun relive epic 2025 playoff at THE PLAYERS

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After winning together at the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick discuss winning together, overcoming struggles and nerves on the back nine, Alex earning his PGA TOUR card and the emotions after an epic finish on the 72nd hole.

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick news conference after winning Zurich Classic

Check out all the best shots from final-round foursomes at the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, featuring Matt Fitzpatrick, Alex Fitzpatrick, Davis Thompson and Austin Eckroat, among others.

Highlights | Round 4 | Zurich Classic

Check out the five best bets that cashed at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, including a tournament hole-in-one, top-five finishes and a victory from brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick.

Golfbet recap: Top bets that hit at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matt Fitzpatrick hits his 35-yard bunker shot to 1 foot, setting up his brother Alex with the tap-in birdie at the par-5 18th hole to win the tournament by one shot. It’s Matt’s third win of the season, and with the win, Alex earns his PGA TOUR card. After the final putt, the brothers speak about the emotional win together.

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick birdie 72nd hole to win Zurich Classic 

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thompson/Eckroat makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Thompson/Eckroat makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Smalley/Springer makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Smalley/Springer makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Ghim/Kang makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Ghim/Kang makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Reitan/Ventura makes eagle on the par-5 18th hole.

Reitan/Ventura makes eagle putt on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Horschel/Hoge makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Horschel/Hoge makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Crowe/Martin makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Crowe/Martin makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Neergaard-Petersen/Olesen makes birdie on the par-5 18th hole.

Neergaard-Petersen/Olesen holes out for birdie from 17-feet on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Smalley/Springer makes a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th hole.

Smalley/Springer makes birdie on No. 13 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Garnett/Hodges makes birdie on the par-4 13th hole.

Garnett/Hodges makes birdie on No. 13 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Ewart/Casey makes birdie on the par-4 16th hole.

Ewart/Casey makes birdie on No. 16 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on the par-5 11th hole.

Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on No. 11 at Zurich Classic

In the final round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Crowe/Martin makes a 21-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th hole.

Rory McIlroy, J.J. Spaun relive epic 2025 playoff at THE PLAYERS

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick news conference after winning Zurich Classic

Highlights | Round 4 | Zurich Classic

Golfbet recap: Top bets that hit at Zurich Classic

Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick birdie 72nd hole to win Zurich Classic

Thompson/Eckroat makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Smalley/Springer makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Ghim/Kang makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Reitan/Ventura makes eagle putt on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Horschel/Hoge makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Crowe/Martin makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Crowe/Martin makes birdie on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Neergaard-Petersen/Olesen holes out for birdie from 17-feet on No. 18 at Zurich Classic

Smalley/Springer makes birdie on No. 13 at Zurich Classic

Garnett/Hodges makes birdie on No. 13 at Zurich Classic

Ewart/Casey makes birdie on No. 16 at Zurich Classic

Alex Fitzpatrick/Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie on No. 11 at Zurich Classic

Crowe/Martin sinks a 21-foot birdie putt on No. 16 at Zurich Classic

Golf Is Hard: Trump National Doral's Blue Monster Course

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 2 feet, sets up birdie on No. 4 at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun gets up-and-down from 96 yards for birdie on No. 9 at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun reaches par-5 No. 5 in two, makes eagle at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun drains 5-foot putt for birdie on No. 2 at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun's 123-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 1 at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun drains 24-foot birdie putt on No. 16 at RBC Heritage

J.J. Spaun makes birdie on No. 4 at RBC Heritage

Rory McIlroy's top shots of 2026 (so far ...)

Masters Round 2 recap: Can anyone catch Rory McIlroy?

Rory McIlroy's best escape shots of his career

Rory McIlroy’s journey to completing career Grand Slam

DraftKings odds movement: Whose stock is up at Masters?

Rory McIlroy’s journey to completing career Grand Slam

Mic’d up with J.J. Spaun after winning Valero

Austin Smotherman’s hole-in-one leads Shots of the Week

J.J. Spaun news conference after winning Valero

Winning wagers: Top five bets that hit at Valero

J.J. Spaun Round 4 highlights from Valero

J.J. Spaun seals third win with 72nd-hole par, Robert MacIntyre miss at Valero

J.J. Spaun drives 307-yard par 4, converts eagle putt to take lead

J.J. Spaun nearly aces No. 16 at Valero

J.J. Spaun makes birdie on No. 14 at Valero

J.J. Spaun hits 142-yard approach to 15 feet, sets up birdie on No. 10 at Valero

J.J. Spaun gets up-and-down from 44 feet for birdie on No. 2 at Valero

J.J. Spaun drains 10-foot birdie putt on No. 14 at Valero

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 4 feet, sets up birdie on No. 13 at Valero

J.J. Spaun hits 154-yard approach to 9 feet, sets up birdie on No. 9 at Valero

J.J. Spaun's 284-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 8 at Valero

J.J. Spaun drains 19-foot birdie putt on No. 4 at Valero

J.J. Spaun hits tee shot to 13 feet, sets up birdie on No. 3 at Valero

J.J. Spaun's 245-yard approach sets up birdie on No. 18 at Valero