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J.J. Spaun now makes admission about his playoff with Rory McIlroy at The Players he never wanted to

J.J. Spaun reflected on a pivotal moment in his career after his unexpected playoff loss to Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship in May 2025, admitting he mentally undermined his own chances before the showdown even began.

Spaun, a rising star who had won the US Open at Oakmont the prior year, entered the 2025 season with a single PGA Tour victory to his name—his maiden win in 2022—and no major appearances in 2024. By the third round of The Players, he had taken a one-shot lead, including a four-shot advantage over McIlroy, but his mindset shifted dramatically as the playoff approached.

Despite the pressure of facing McIlroy in a three-hole aggregate playoff, Spaun revealed in a recent interview that he had already convinced himself second place was an acceptable outcome, given the financial and career boost it would provide. His self-doubt resurfaced during the delayed Monday playoff due to inclement weather, culminating in a costly triple bogey on the iconic 17th hole that sealed McIlroy’s victory.

Spaun later called the experience a mental misstep, acknowledging he should have approached the moment with greater intensity, regardless of the consolation prize.

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