‘Not the best idea’ – JJ Spaun caught in cheeky act during Rory McIlroy play-off defeat

J.J. Spaun was seemingly caught peeking into Rory McIlroy’s bag before his 17th tee shot found the water in their Players Championship play-off. The American challenger triple-bogeyed the difficult par-three, all but sealing his fate.

A stellar few days of golf saw the PGA 57th-ranked Spaun tie up four-time major winner McIlroy on Sunday evening, finishing on -12 and forcing the first playoff at the Players since 2015. In far windier conditions at TPC Sawgrass than that witnessed over the weekend, both were to compete over three holes: the 16th, infamously tricky 17th, and 18th. McIlroy had the honour and brilliantly teed off on 16, sealing a birdie while his opponent putt for par. The Northern Irishman would once again approach first at the next, and while his shot would nestle nicely on the green, Spaun, who was seen taking a peek at perhaps which club McIlroy would be using, overhit through the wind and ended up in the drink – essentially handing his adversary the title with what appeared to be an incorrect equipment choice.

“Well, well, well, I know McIlroy hit a three-quarter shot there. I don’t know if that helped looking in McIlroy’s bag there to see what club he hit there,” said Irish pro Paul McGinley on commentary for Sky Sports Golf at the 17th after Spaun’s shot landed in the water.

“He is a big hitter, but he’s very good at taking loads of club and just chipping it. If you just look at what he did, he took a lot of speed out that swing did McIlroy and Spaun thought he hit a good shot but quite clearly the wrong club.”