Skip Bayless watched as Rory McIlroy fell short in the final round, tying with J.J. Spaun and leading to a playoff to determine The Players’ champion. He delivered a harsh criticism to the golfer and took the opportunity to compare him to Tiger Woods, mentioning what a true champion would do in such a moment.
According to Bayless’s post on his personal X account, he wrote, “Once again, we just saw why Rory will never be close to Tiger, who in Rory’s position would’ve won the Players’ by 5 shots.” This message criticizes the golfer’s performance, which has also been subject to harsh words from other reporters.
McIlroy entered the final round after a tight third round where he finished at -8, tied with Bhatia and Conners. However, everyone expected him, as one of the favorites, to easily seal the deal in the final round to claim the big check awaiting him at the end.
The last time he had to decide a title in a playoff was on April 8, 2024, at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans that year, where he ended up in a playoff against Chad Ramey and France Martin Trainer. His teammate was Shane Lowry, whom he defeated in early February 2025 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 17th green during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 16, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy opens up after final round struggles
McIlroy didn’t hold back and had to speak candidly, admitting that he is happy to have reached the final round but acknowledging that things could have been better for him. He expressed, “I’m happy to be in the position that I am, but also I feel like I had chances there on the back nine to close the door, and I didn’t quite do that.”
What will be the playoff between McIlroy and Spaun?
The date for the playoff is set for March 17th, therefore the rest will be minimal for McIlroy and Spaun, who will have to play the three holes at 9:00 AM (EDT). The winner of that playoff will be the champion of The Players Championship and will receive a $4.5 million check.
