McIlroy holds off Furyk to win Players

MIAMI, Florida: Rory McIlroy celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with a one-shot victory at The Players Championship on Sunday, firing a two-under-par final round 70 to claim his first title of 2019.

The 29-year-old Northern Irishman overcame a shaky start at TPC Sawgrass to card six birdies against two bogeys and a double-bogey to finish one clear of US veteran Jim Furyk on 16 under.

Furyk had surged into contention with a closing 67, a round which included an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys on the challenging Stadium Course layout.

The win earned McIlroy a $2.25 million winner’s cheque and could not have been better timed as he prepares for The Masters at Augusta next month where he is aiming to complete a career grand slam.

It was another battling performance by McIlroy, who was able to regain his composure at several key moments on Sunday to stay in the hunt.

A bogey on the 14th had dropped McIlroy adrift of the lead, but he fought back with birdies on the 15th and 16th to regain a one-shot lead with two to play.

He then finished with two pars to close out and seal his 15th US PGA Tour title. “I think all those experiences I had starting the year helped,” McIlroy said after his win. “I felt more and more confident each time. I just stayed as patient as I possibly could.”