Image source, Getty Images

I think that's where we'll leave it - with the golf season well and truly under way.

Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on a stunning second win at The Players and for setting us up so beautifully for The Masters, which starts on Thursday, 10 April.

Of course, we'll have full coverage.

Of course, we'll have all the best insight, analysis and commentary.

Of course, you'll be joining us.

Now let's all get back to work!

I bet Rory McIlroy wishes The Masters was being held on St Patrick's Day.

Image source, Getty Images

This time last year, Scottie Scheffler had just won The Players, his second title of the season.

He would go on to have a career year that included seven titles on the PGA Tour and an Olympic gold medal.

Well, Rory McIlroy has got two already and will go major hunting again very shortly.

It's fewer than four weeks till Augusta and McIlroy has never before gone into the Masters with two already under his belt.

Last year's champion Scottie Scheffler won The Players in 2023 and 2024 and clinched eight titles last year. That, says Rory McIlroy, fired him up:

"Seeing what Scottie did last year, going back to back...

"Scottie has been on an unbelievable run and inspired all of us to try to be better. I need to be better if I want to compete with him. I've knuckled down - I've worked hard. It's nice to tie him with this [a second Players title], and Tiger and the five others that have won this multiple times.

"I went home last night thinking i shouild have had this. I reset. I had not a great night's sleep but made the swings I needed to today."

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy is usually so good off the tee but this element of his game was weakest over the course of four rounds - but that has not held him back from winning here at TPC Sawgrass:

"I did it a different way this week. I had to putt well. I needed to chip well. I saw way too much of the pine straw.

"But I feel if one part of my game isn't there, I have other parts to bail me out and it's a really nice feeling to have that in my golf game."

After 18 years on tour and 28 wins, McIlroy is still right at the top of his profession:

"I'm really proud of my body of work. I turned pro in 2007 and my first season on the PGA Tour was in 2009. I've tried to get better every year and I feel like I'm continuing trying to do that.

"The younger guys coming out are getting better every single yr and I need to keep working hard to hang with them. I'm doing a pretty good job of that.

"I feel like I've still got a few years left in the tank."

Image source, Getty Images

While you're waiting, admire the golden prize he's picked up for the second time.

Plenty of good stuff in the interview with Rory McIlroy as he collects the trophy.

Bear with me as I shuffle my notes and get it over to you!

And now he gets his hands on the trophy.

A fine performance from Rory McIlroy.

He held firm as the rest of the world's best - and biggest challenger JJ Spaun - were blown off course by the Sawgrass winds.

Image source, Getty Images

"Now to our champion," Monahan continues."He is the eighth player to win this multiple times.

"He's had a remarkable run. This is the second time hes won the championship on St Patrick's Day. I think he had every intention of pushing it to Monday so he could do just that.

"Congratulations on an outstanding performance."

A raise of the arm from McIlroy and a grin as he listens to the PGA Tour commissioner.

Image source, Getty Images

It'd be quite the curveball for Rory McIlroy too.

Of course, Jay Monahan isn't going down that line.

He's thanking everybody.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is speaking at the presentation.

Wonder if now is the time he will reveal details of how the PGA-LIV relationship is going to work in the future?

That'd shake things up!

Rory McIlroy has been joined on the 18th green by wife Erica and daughter Poppy to celebrate a 28th (TWENTY EIGHTH) win on the PGA Tour.

Two already this season.

It's all a bit easy this golfing lark.*

*when you're Rory McIlroy.

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy speaking after winning The Players Championship for the second time: "The wind came out in a completely different direction to yesterday - I'm glad we didn't have to play 18 holes in that!

"I feel really bad for JJ. He hit a great shot on the 17th but it just went straight through the wind. I was lucky to do enough to get it done.

"I am unbelievable proud and happy to win my second Players Championship. And it's the third time I've won on St Patrick's Day. It's been a good-luck charm for me!

Rory McIlroy gives JJ Spaun a warm handshake on the 18th green and no doubt has words of encouragement for the man who has pushed him all the way at The Players this year.

A career week for Spaun but his dreams are done.

Image source, Getty Images

• 28th victory on the PGA Tour
• 16th win after trailing going into the final round
• First European to win multiple Players Championships
• First time won twice on the PGA Tour before the Masters in April

It's quite the career resume.

Zane Scotland
Former European Tour player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

He didn't have his A game but that's what we wanted to see from Rory - he came here and won such a prestigious title. I think what we saw was the Rory impact on JJ Spaun.

He's got plenty of shots to play with so Rory McIlroy just nudges his ball to four feet and tidies up to huge roars from the fans around the 18th green.

It's a bogey to finish but he won't care.

The first European to win The Players multiple times!

A second title of 2025 clinched!

JJ Spaun takes aim from distance and perhaps unsurprisingly leaves it short.

Over to you Rory...