GREEN DAY

St Patrick's triumph for Rory as he sets sights on winning an iconic Masters jacket

- NEIL MCLEMAN

RORY MCILROY celebrated St Patrick's Day by winning his second Players Championships - and then claimed he is better than ever before his latest bid to claim a Green Jacket.

The Ulsterman returned to Sawgrass yesterday to beat JJ Spaun in a three-hole playoff and bank the $4.5m first prize.

He now has 28 PGA Tour titles but this is the first time the Pebble Beach champion has won two before the Masters.

And ahead of his 11th attempt to complete his career Grand Slam in Augusta, the world No.2 said he had been inspired by defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler to raise his game.

"I am in good form, I am playing well," he said. "I feel like I'm a way more complete player than I was a few years ago.