Luck of the Irish sees Rory in St Patrick's Day treble

RORY McIlroy believes the best golf of his career is yet to come after he celebrated St Patrick’s Day by defeating JJ Spaun in a play-off to win a second Players Championship title.

- PHIL CASEY

McIlroy covered the three extra holes in one over par, but that was comfortably enough to beat Spaun in a somewhat anticlimactic finish at TPC Sawgrass.

A two-putt birdie on the par-five 16th gave the Northern Irishman a one-shot advantage after Spaun could only make par after finding rough off the tee and a bunker with his approach.

McIlroy then safely found the green on the treacherous 17th before Spaun, who looked unsure of his club selection in the windy conditions, flew his tee shot over the green into the water.

The resulting triple bogey effectively ended the American’s chances of a second PGA Tour victory, even though McIlroy surprisingly three-putted from 30 feet.