After more than a year defined mostly by his near-misses, Rory McIlroy slammed the door on J.J. Spaun in Monday's playoff at Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun have had contrasting careers. But they both know the sting of defeat, the joy of victory, an how both mold a player.

Rory McIlroy scored another great victory in his professional golf career by winning his second PLAYERS Championship title. The Northern Irishman convincingly defeated J.J. Spaun in a 3-hole playoff on a day of great significance to him and his countrymen,