In the final round of the 2025 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, J.J. Spaun found himself embroiled in a controversy that has since been dubbed “Sprinkler Gate.” On the par-5 9th hole, Spaun’s ball landed in the rough, presenting a challenging lie for his next shot. Noticing that his foot was on a sprinkler head—a situation that permits free relief under golf rules—Spaun opted to drop his ball within one club length of the original spot. After the drop, his ball landed near another sprinkler head within the relief area, allowing him to reposition the ball favorably. He capitalized on this by executing a shot onto the fairway, subsequently sinking a birdie putt.
This sequence of events sparked debate among fans and commentators. Some viewed Spaun’s actions as a savvy use of the rules to his advantage, while others perceived it as bending the rules’ intent. Despite the controversy, Spaun’s actions were within the regulations, and no penalties were assessed during the tournament.
The tournament culminated in a rare Monday playoff between Spaun and Rory McIlroy, as both players finished the regulation 72 holes tied at 12-under par. During the playoff, Spaun struggled, notably hitting his tee shot into the water on the iconic par-3 17th hole, leading to a triple bogey. McIlroy maintained steady play, ultimately securing his second Players Championship title.
For his runner-up finish, Spaun earned $2.725 million, a significant sum reflecting the tournament’s substantial purse. McIlroy, with the victory, took home $4.5 million.
It’s important to note that while the “Sprinkler Gate” incident generated discussion, there is no evidence or official ruling indicating that Spaun engaged in cheating or received a two-stroke penalty related to this matter. The tournament concluded with McIlroy’s playoff victory and Spaun’s commendable second-place finish.
