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. Now, the big one awaits in three weeks, writes Bob Harig.

Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship in a Monday finish over J.J. Spaun that featured three dynamic playoff holes at the TPC Sawgrass, a harsh wind and very little drama. McIlroy seized control early with a big drive that set up an easy birdie on the par-5 16th hole,