J.J. Spaun claims he did something during the final round of The Players Championship which he’s never done in his entire career before

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J.J. Spaun came agonisingly close to a famous win at the Players Championship, only to fall short to Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy can still improve ahead of the Masters despite the success, which represents his second PGA Tour victory of the season.

He outlasted Spaun in a three-hole playoff for his latest triumph, during which the American fired his ball into the water at the famous island green.

Spaun recovered from his mistake quickly, but ultimately couldn’t fight back to record what would have been a famous second career PGA Tour title.

McIlroy meanwhile is nearing 30 such titles after his Players Championship success, having also won at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier in the year.

J.J. Spaun looks at leaderboard for first time at the Players Championship

He did, however, blow a three-shot lead during Sunday’s final round at the Players Championship, allowing Spaun to force a playoff.

And Spaun has now revealed a change he made for the very first time at TPC Sawgrass, having been asked on Fore Play Podcast Plus if he is looking at leaderboards.

READ MORE: 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

“I did this time,” he replied. “I never looked when I was in contention before because I didn’t want to have to make that decision or feel that extra pressure of having to execute a shot or change my game plan.

“I think that helped me feel more comfortable this time around because I said I didn’t want to shy away from the moment.

“I wanted to know if I had to birdie 17 or birdie 18 or eagle 16. Rory went birdie, eagle and I was like holy s— he is tied with me now and I have played a hole and a half. I was like alright here we go.

“I think that helped me looking at the leaderboard because every player has talked about pressure and we try to understand that pressure is a privilege and you have to be able to accept it and use that pressure to your advantage.

“I couldn’t believe, looking back, how focused I felt on the back nine especially. I was able to really zone out and get in the zone. I guess that’s the saying we have all heard in sports and it’s a real thing.

“Looking at the leaderboard for the first time, I didn’t even do that at Cognizant when I was hunting down the lead there on Sunday and just wanted to plug away because I was a few groups ahead of the leaders, but being in the leaders spot I wanted to know exactly where I am at, exactly what I am going to do. That adds more pressure, some people want it, some people don’t, but I have learned that helps me.”

J.J. Spaun’s 2025 PGA Tour results after Players Championship heartache

Spaun can be really proud of his efforts despite the defeat and indeed the manner of it, with McIlroy one of the best players in world golf.

But it does mean that he remains on the search for his first PGA Tour win since he triumphed at the 2022 Valero Texas Open.

READ MORE: PGA Tour player criticizes TV coverage of Rory McIlroy’s playoff vs J.J. Spaun as he points out ‘big miss’ which they failed to do

If his current form is anything to go by, however, then that elusive win is just around the corner, with Spaun having made a bright start to 2025.

From his nine tournaments so far, the 34-year-old has made eight cuts, with two runner-up finishes and three top 10 finishes.