Rory shows Irish flourish in great finish

McIlroy fashions brilliant final round to hold off pack at Sawgrass

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - Rory McIlroy celebrated St. Patrick's Day in style by becoming the first player from Northern Ireland to win The Players Championship, emerging as the last man standing to edge Jim Furyk by one stroke in Ponte Vedra, Florida on Sunday.

On a day when 15 players at one stage were within two shots of the lead, McIlroy eventually emerged from the pack, overcoming an early double-bogey by displaying enough cool to hang tough before moving in for the proverbial kill.