There are few things that Spaun would take back from what has to be considered a career-best performance, even if he has a single tour win in the Valero Texas Open. Maybe his putt on the 72nd hole on Sunday evening, when his ball came up about two rolls short of victory on a birdie try.

The victory marks the first time in McIlroy’s career that he has won twice going into the Masters, the major that for more than a decade has kept him from joining golf’s most elite group

Rory McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff Monday to win his second Players Championship, perhaps cementing his status as the favorite to finally break through and complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters next month.