McIlroy beats Spaun in play-off to win Players

Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title with a comfortable victory over JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off at Sawgrass.

It is the Northern Irishman's second PGA Tour win of the season - and 28th of his career - and comes in the most prestigious event outside of the annual four majors.

"I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players," said the world number two.

"It's the third time I've won on St Patrick's Day. It's been a good-luck charm for me."

McIlroy dominated the play-off from the opening tee shot on the par-five 16th, booming his drive down the centre of the fairway, while Spaun could only find the rough.

The American world number 57 chopped his second into a greenside bunker and took three from there to register a par, while McIlroy, who hit his second into the centre of the green, two-putted for a birdie.

McIlroy then found the green with his tee shot on the iconic par-three 17th 'island hole', but Spaun dunked his ball in the water to effectively end his hopes.

He took a triple-bogey six and although McIlroy three-putted to drop a shot, his lead was three going down the last.

Both players scrambled their way down the 18th but McIlroy's advantage was so great that he could tap in for a bogey and Spaun picked up his ball without finishing the hole.

"I feel really bad for JJ," added McIlroy. "He hit a great shot on the 17th but it just went straight through the wind."

Both players had opportunities to wrap up the title on a storm-affected Sunday in Florida.

McIlroy started the final round with a four-shot deficit to leader Spaun but had turned that into a one-shot lead after 11 holes by the time the hooter sounded to curtail play because of the threat of lightning.

When play resumed four hours later, McIlroy birdied the 12th to open a three-shot lead on the field. But a bogey on 14 checked his progress and he missed birdie chances on the 15th and 16th holes as he played the last four holes in level par.

Spaun birdied the 16th to draw level and had a 30-foot putt to win the title on the last but his ball stopped inches from the hole.

With a three-hole play-off required to decide the winner, there was not enough light left to finish the tournament, so they returned for Monday's dramatic shootout.