About The Cover

UNDERDOG COMES OUT ON TOP RORY MCILROY WINS BY 1 STROKE

here is no question that THE PLAYERS Championship is one of the hardest championships to win. With arguably the most dramatic course filled with some of the best players, it is always a fight for the win. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy came out on top in 2019, closing the final round with a 2-under-par 70 for an overall score of 16 under. The win was historic for the Irishman—he became the third player in PGA Tour history to reach 15 wins and four majors before turning 30. McIlroy won by a single shot over local favorite Jim Furyk, who was competing in his 23rd THE PLAYERS Championship. Furyk birdied two of his last three holes to secure his second runner-up finish. T

After winning his first THE PLAYERS Championship, the 29-year-old McIlroy finally broke the yearlong winless streak that was full of close calls in the weeks leading up to the PGA TOUR’s flagship event. McIlroy has spoken vaguely that winning isn’t everything. That new outlook on winning has helped him stay calm through those frustrating Sundays and explains how he kept his nerve on a course designed to make even the world’s top player question themselves. -Sam Lyster u

Round 1 .................................... 67 Round 2 .................................. 65 Round 3 .................................. 70 Round 4 .................................. 70 TOTAL.................................. 272