Players Championship saw star disqualified plus | Sports News

Rory McIlroy has added the Players Championship title to his 2025 assortment after a thrilling playoff victory at TPC Sawgrass. The Northern Irishman threw away a lead on Sunday and needed to accept a three-hole shootout with J.J. Spaun.

But on Monday, McIlroy was back in control to say his second PGA Tour win of the season, and essentially the most prestigious outdoors of the 4 majors.

He mentioned: “I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players. It’s the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day. It’s been a good-luck charm for me.”

The event has seen its honest share of drama through the years, earlier than the playoff duel. We take a look back at some of essentially the most contentious moments in latest Players Championship historical past, from McIlroy’s notorious pretend ID incident to Rickie Fowler’s heated exchange with a spectator.

Rory McIlroy’s pretend ID

McIlroy’s introduction to The Players at simply 20 years outdated was much less than best, failing to make the cut after rounds of 74 and 77. However, his troubles did not finish on the course.

Reflecting on his first expertise on the event final yr, McIlroy revealed the extra challenges he confronted off the inexperienced following his early exit 15 years prior, together with being ejected from native bars for utilizing a pretend ID.

“The first year I played here, the week before, I was in Vegas for a fight and then probably didn’t prepare the best way possible,” McIlroy, now 35, confessed. “I missed the cut and ended up getting kicked out of bars in Jax beach for having a fake ID. I’ve come a long way!”

DON’T MISS…

Drop controversy

McIlroy has discovered himself swimming in controversy at TPC Sawgrass, not simply due to the notorious pretend ID snafu, as his conduct was referred to as into query by Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland during final yr’s play.

Following his Tenth-hole tee shot taking an unwelcome dip, McIlroy selected a drop spot some 290 yards past – raising eyebrows amongst his taking part in mates. The more contentious drop occurred at No. 7, sparking skepticism from each Spieth and Hovland about whether or not the ball had certainly landed earlier than the pink line earlier than its watery endeavor.

Though Hovland and Spieth shied away from press feedback, McIlroy stepped up to make clear, adamant about his resolution: “I’m comfortable. I think that’s the most important thing. I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I mean, I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it. I was adamant.

“If something, I used to be being conservative with it. I believe on the finish of the day, we’re all making an attempt to guard ourselves, defend the sphere, as effectively. I would not say it was useless. I believe he was simply making an attempt to make sure that what occurred was the fitting factor.”

Rickie Fowler’s outburst

But controversy wasn’t exclusive to McIlroy, with Fowler also finding himself embroiled with fans. The American found himself in the spotlight during last year’s Players Championship when he had a run-in with a fan while teeing off on the 16th hole. His caddie, Ricky Romano, was overheard asking spectators to silence their phones as Fowler prepared for his tee shot.

Despite hitting an impressive 285-year drive, Fowler appeared upset after the shot and was seen pointing at a fan behind the ropes, shouting: “You! What are you doing”, earlier than finishing his swing.

Wyndham Clark disqualified

In an incident from 5 years prior, one other American professional in Clark had a disappointing event. The 2019 Players Championship occurred during Clark’s rookie season, and expectations have been high for his efficiency in Ponte Vedra Beach.

However, after a poor first-round rating of 80 his event shortly unravelled. To add insult to damage, Clark was disqualified after the opening spherical for signing an incorrect scorecard – he had recorded a 4 on the par-4 fourth gap when he had truly bogeyed it. This was one Players Championship that Clark would undoubtedly choose to erase from reminiscence.

Shane Lowry smashes membership

Irish golfer Shane Lowry additionally had a difficult day at TPC Sawgrass. In 2023, Lowry, who received The Open Championship in 2019, struggled with a five-over-par 77 on the Thursday.

On the fifteenth, Lowry selected a dangerous path from the trees which did not repay. In response to this setback, he vented his frustration by swearing and snapping his membership on his knee after hitting it into a tree.

Lowry’s double-bogey on this gap contributed to him ending the spherical tied in a disappointing 127th place. Despite this, he managed to make the cut and ended the event tied for thirty fifth place with a rating of -4.