Once again, Rory McIlroy has secured his position in the elite circle of PGA Tour champions. His latest victory was a triumphant conquest at the Players Championship held at the illustrious TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy’s win came after a nail-biting three-hole playoff against J.J. Spaun, with the latter’s tee shot into the water at the renowned 17th island green heavily contributing to his downfall.
The incident has sparked criticism towards Spaun for checking McIlroy’s bag before his tee shot, which many believe was the pivotal moment leading to his playoff chances spiraling into oblivion. McIlroy himself was not completely devoid of stress during the championship, having squandered a three-shot lead in the final round which Spaun took advantage of, forcing a playoff.
Nevertheless, McIlroy demonstrated why he is a four-time major champion, ultimately claiming his 28th PGA Tour victory. This season, he has already marked his name on the trophy at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
In a revealing post-match conversation with Brandel Chamblee, McIlroy shared the secret behind his Players Championship win – a softer ball. Chamblee, who has previously voiced concerns about McIlroy’s ‘mental hurdle’ in majors, his last win being the 2014 PGA Championship, feels the champion player has now shown a different side of his game.
In Chamblee’s words, McIlroy’s win at the Players Championship demonstrated a player who could “win from the trees, pine straw and bunkers and without everything going his way.” He also noted the positive start to the PGA Tour in 2025 and expressed his enjoyment of working at TPC Sawgrass alongside a talented lineup.
As the Masters Tournament looms on the horizon, McIlroy’s performance will undoubtedly be under scrutiny. It has been over a decade since his last major win, a golden era when he clinched the 2011 US Open and the 2012 PGA Championship. His impressive performance continued with another PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2014. However, the Masters trophy has so far eluded him.
Despite this, McIlroy seems to be in prime condition as he prepares for Augusta, having already claimed two victories from his first four PGA Tour starts in 2025. As we eagerly anticipate the Masters, we can’t help but reflect on McIlroy’s major championship wins: the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, and the 2014 Open Championship. It remains to be seen if 2025 will see the addition of the Masters to this impressive list.