It’s the first time in his career he has won twice going into the Masters, the major that for more than a decade has kept him from joining golf’s most elite group with the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy delivered an early knockout against J.J. Spaun to win The Player Championship in a playoff Monday in Florida.

Rory McIlroy had every reason to think he would be leaving The Players Championship with the gold trophy and a big payoff Sunday. He was three shots ahead of J.J. Spaun after a four-hour rain delay and had a rain-softened course ahead of him. Spaun refused to give in easily.