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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Alex Young

What time is 2025 Players Championship play-off? Rules and how to watch Rory McIlroy vs J.J. Spaun

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun are set for a play-off to decide the winner of the 2025 Players Championship after bad weather delayed play on Sunday.

McIlroy began the final round four shots off the lead but a brilliant start helped take the world number two to the top of the leaderboard before play was suspended due to the threat of lightning.

Spaun had covered his first eight holes in two over par before getting back on track with a birdie on the ninth. He missed from six feet for another birdie on the 10th shortly before the players were forced off the course.

Once play resumed after a four-hour delay, McIlroy built a three-shot lead on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass, only for Spaun to peg him back and almost clinch victory when a 30-foot putt stopped inches short on the 18th.

The pair will return on Monday for a play-off to decide who wins the richest tournament in golf.

Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Players Championship (AP)

When is 2025 Players Championship play-off?

McIlroy and Spaun will return to the course for a 1pm start on Monday, March 17, 2025 at TPC Sawgrass.

That is 9am EDT in Florida.

How to watch 2025 Players Championship play-off

TV channel: The play-off will be broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting at 1pm GMT.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can watch Sky Sports Golf via the Sky Go app and website. NOW offers one-day, one-week or one-month passes for Sky Sports.

J.J. Spaun missed a 30-foot putt on the 18th (Getty Images)

What are the play-off format and rules?

This will be only the sixth play-off in Players history and the first since Rickie Fowler won in 2015.

In the play-off, the final three holes - no16, no17 and no18 - will be played and the best aggregate score will decide the winner.

If McIlroy and Spaun are will level after those three holes, the play-off will move into sudden death and begin at no17 and move to no18 if required.

If there is still no winner, then the sudden death will begin again at no16, move to no17 is required and again to no18.

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