Rory McIlroy wins the Players Championship on St Patrick’s Day in perfect warm-up for Grand Slam bid at the Masters

RORY McILROY won the Players Championship on St Patrick’s Day – in a perfect warm-up for his Grand Slam bid at the Masters.

The four-time Major champ overcame last year’s US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk to win by one on 15 under at treacherous Sawgrass.

Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, 30, is looking to become just the sixth player in history to win all four Majors.

And he tucked the unofficial fifth Major under his belt after starting one behind overnight leader Jon Rahm.

McIlroy birdied the par-five 16th to go one ahead of Furyk and held his nerve on the hellish 17th and 18th to win.

More to follow.