J.J. Spaun and Rory McIlroy have taken the Players to a playoff (Image: Getty Images)
Golfers and are set to face off in at TPC Sawgrass, with a whopping £3.5 million prize up for grabs. Both golfers have had an impressive run at Ponte Vedra Beach. led into the final round before slipping with a score of 72.
Meanwhile, hot streak was interrupted by a storm delay, but he still managed to card a 68, even taking a solo lead by three at one stage. The two players, whose careers and earnings couldn’t be more different, on the back nine at . McIlroy, a former Players Championship winner in 2019 and holder of four major titles, is no stranger to high-stakes competition, and his wallet has thanked him for it, as his fortune stands at a staggering 34 times more than his opponent’s.
Spaun, who has only one PGA Tour win under his belt and has never finished in the top 20 at a major, will be looking to make his mark in what would be his biggest win since securing the Valero Texas Open in 2022, reports .
The contrasting careers of the two golfers have resulted in McIlroy amassing a staggering net worth of £130m, according to , while J.J. Spaun’s wealth is predicted to stand at a more modest £3.85m.
However, 2025 has proven to be an exceptionally profitable year for the American golfer, who is estimated to have earned £1.4m from tournament play alone this year. The 57th-ranked PGA star has secured several brand deals and endorsements since turning professional in 2012.
The pair will do battle on Monday afternoon (Image: Getty Images)
Golf equipment manufacturers Srixon, Amerisure Insurance, and Rocket are among Spaun’s partners. While these partnerships pale in comparison to McIlroy’s lucrative deals with TaylorMade and Nike, they reflect Spaun’s standing in the sport.
After initially struggling on the PGA Tour Canada following his departure from San Diego State University – where he was named All-Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in 2012 – Spaun emerged as the Order of Merit winner in 2015.
He advanced from the Web.com Tour to the PGA Tour in 2017, and despite losing his card in 2021, he has made a remarkable comeback and is on the brink of a career-defining victory.
Meanwhile, McIlroy will be eager to bolster his chances of securing a long-awaited fifth major championship in 2025, and the £3.5m prize would not only boost his already substantial wealth but also his confidence.