“Caught Peeking in Rory’s Bag?”: J.J. Spaun’s Caddie Blasted as Risky 17th-Hole Advice Hands McIlroy $4.5M at The Players Championship

Rory McIlroy secured his second PLAYERS Championship title in a dramatic playoff against J.J. Spaun at TPC Sawgrass. However, controversy erupted as fans blamed Spaun’s caddie, Mark Carens, for questionable advice on the pivotal 17th hole. Carens suggested an aggressive approach, leading to Spaun’s shot landing in the water and gifting McIlroy a $4.5 million victory. To add to the drama, Carens was spotted glancing at McIlroy’s club selection, which many believe backfired and cost Spaun the title.

McIlroy’s performance was nearly flawless, starting with a powerful 336-yard drive on the 16th and a clutch birdie. His safe play on the notorious 17th hole further cemented his victory, while Spaun’s miscalculation proved disastrous. The island-green 17th is known for its high-risk nature, and some critics argue that its placement as the penultimate hole unfairly influences tournament outcomes. While McIlroy celebrated his triumph, Spaun and his team were left wondering what could have been if they had chosen a more cautious strategy.

Fans were quick to criticize Carens, with some predicting his dismissal after the costly mistake. Social media erupted with comments like, “Does he even know their yardages?” and “Spaun’s caddie is done after this.” However, Spaun took responsibility for the shot, explaining that he had committed fully to the plan based on pre-round calculations. Despite the heartbreak, he remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging that sometimes, even the best-laid plans don’t work out on the golf course.