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

Add as preferred source on Google

Rory McIlroy has quickly returned to winning ways on the PGA Tour, seeing off J.J. Spaun in a playoff at the Players Championship.

Spaun was criticised for checking McIlroy’s bag before his 17th-hole tee shot, which landed in the water at TPC Sawgrass.

McIlroy rapidly moved ahead of Spaun in their three-hole playoff, earning his second PGA Tour win of 2025 at the Players Championship.

Four-time major champion McIlroy impressed with his 2-iron at TPC Sawgrass, although the Northern Irishman blew a three-shot lead in Sunday’s final round.

He and Spaun finished on 12-under after 72 holes, with the duo forced into a Monday morning playoff in Florida.

Dylan Wu criticizes lack of Players Championship playoff TV coverage

McIlroy won an exciting but ultimately one-sided playoff, during which Dan Rapaport hosted a live watch along.

But the lack of coverage was criticised by PGA Tour player Dylan Wu, who commented under Rapaport’s post on X: “Seems like a big miss from media/viewers to not have ESPN plus showing Rory and J.J.’s warm-up or any prep.

READ MORE: J.J. Spaun deserves big credit for what he did immediately after losing to Rory McIlroy in playoff for The Players Championship

“Just going to go live to them start on 16. Could have had an hour of pure prep coverage and see how these guys are handling the nerves.”

Rory McIlroy’s experience prevails over J.J. Spaun in Players Championship playoff

It certainly would have been intriguing for many fans to have witnessed the practice routines of both McIlroy and Spaun before the main action.

And it would have been helpful for their fellow professionals, many of which could be in similar situations in the near future.

READ MORE: Who is Rory McIlroy? A closer look at one of the greatest golfers of all time

That was certainly the viewpoint of American Wu, who has made three PGA Tour appearances in 2025 so far.

He missed the cut at both the Farmers Insurance Open and Cognizant Classic, before finishing T45 at the Puerto Rico Open.

Both McIlroy and Spaun would have been in the zone from early Monday, although it was perhaps the former’s experience in such situations that helped him come through.

He dealt with the three very challenging holes much better than his opponent, but the runner-up should have learned a lot for future tournaments.