Over the past 12 months McIlroy has ascended to perhaps the most sublime form of his career with five victories, three runner-ups, and 14 top-5 finishes—a body of work that, for almost any other player in history,

"Rory McIlroy earns $4.5 million for winning his second Players Championship. J.J. Spaun cashes a $2.725 million check for his second-place finish," Rumsey wrote. Spaun still earned $2.725 million, a nice payday for a second-place finish.