MIAMI (AFP) – Rory McIlroy celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with a one-shot victory at The Players Championship on Sunday, firing a two-under-par final round 70 to claim his first title of 2019.
The 29-year-old Northern Irishman overcame a shaky start at TPC Sawgrass to card six birdies against two bogeys and a double-bogey to finish one clear of US veteran Jim Furyk on 16 under.
Furyk had surged into contention with a closing 67, a round which included an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys on the challenging Stadium Course layout.
The win earned McIlroy a $2.25 million winner’s check and could not have been better timed as he prepares for The Masters at Augusta next month where he is aiming to complete a career grand slam.
Meanwhile former world number Tiger Woods rounded out his week with a solid three-under-par 69 which left him six under for the tournament.
