Golf fans claim J.J. Spaun did something you should ‘never’ do before teeing off on 17 and it was his big mistake in Players Championship playoff

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Rory McIlroy has clinched his second PGA Tour win of the season, seeing off J.J. Spaun in a playoff at the Players Championship.

McIlroy paid close attention to the wind during his practice for the playoff at the Players Championship, which was contested over three holes.

And it was McIlroy who emerged victorious on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes at TPC Sawgrass, eventually easing past Spaun.

McIlroy carded a birdie on his first effort in Florida, with his American opponent only able to save par on the 16th.

The Northern Irishman made a bogey on the famous 17th island green, with Spaun finding the water before carding a triple-bogey.

J.J. Spaun criticised for looking at Rory McIlroy’s bag in Players Championship playoff

The four-time major champion then finished with a bogey on the 18th, while Spaun conceded by picking up his ball without finishing.

And Spaun has come under criticism following his defeat, particularly for looking at McIlroy’s bag before taking on the island green par-three.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy reveals what he said to his caddy just before winning The Players Championship in a playoff

His effort splashed into the water behind the green, leading to one fan writing on X: “That’s why you don’t look at your opponent’s bag for a clue on the shot to hit. They don’t tell you how they’re hitting it!”

A second concurred, noting: “That’s why you never look at another man’s club! J.J. Spaun deserved that water ball.”

A third agreed, saying: “J.J. Spaun and his caddy were SOOO UNPREPARED. Don’t know their yardages, looking in Rory’s bag?”

And a fourth commented: “Spaun had no business looking in McIlroy’s bag, was only ever going to confuse.”

A fifth meanwhile praised McIlroy after what happened, writing: “Very clever from McIlroy to hit a little knockdown in to 17, knowing that Spaun would look in his bag. Schooled him.”

Michael Kim shares how common it is for PGA Tour players to look into opposition bags

McIlroy undoubtedly should have won the Players Championship in regular time, having thrown away a commanding Sunday lead.

But he was required to turn up for another day of action on Monday, where he used his experience to gain an early advantage over Spaun.

READ MORE: Paul McGinley picks the one part of Rory McIlroy’s game which is better than it’s ever been before after watching him at the Players Championship

And experience certainly played a big role at TPC Sawgrass, with the American failing to step up to the mark when it really mattered.

He can, however, take great confidence from the result, while McIlroy will be delighted to clinch a second win of the season.

His PGA Tour titles list now sits at 28, with the Northern Irishman having also won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in 2025.

McIlroy can now continue to build ahead of the Masters, while Spaun will likely never look into his opponent’s bag again.

It is, however, commonplace on the PGA Tour according to Michael Kim, who missed the cut at the Players Championship.

Asked on X if he thinks it is okay or frowned upon in a playoff situation for Spaun to look in McIlroy’s bag, the one-time PGA Tour winner replied: “Haha this is something every pro does almost every tournament round.”