PONTE VEDRA BEACH – Irish golf pro Rory McIlroy picked a perfect St. Patricks’ Day to win the biggest purse of the year by chasing down Ponte Vedra Beach veteran Jim Furyk, 48, to win the Players Championship golf title Sunday afternoon at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

“I think the toughest part is seeing yourself up there, whatever score you’re on, and seeing 10 or 11 guys with a chance,” said McIlroy, 30. “There’s been a few times where I’ve been in positions like that, and I’ve taken the tournament by the scruff of the neck.”

With a handful of the world’s best golfers staying just striking distance ahead of McIlroy, but falling to the wayside as Furyk made his improbable rise to the top of the leaderboard, McIlroy chipped away and stayed on target to get to the 15th hole just a stroke away from Furyk, who was already finished and watching McIlroy’s final surge to steal the trophy and it’s $2.25 million purse.

On the 15th, McIlroy hit a 6-iron from 180 yards and in the bunker to 14 feet to putt. With the putt, McIlroy was tied with Furyk with the infamous 17 ahead of him and then 18. A par on 16 got the one stroke lead and pars on 17 and 18 secured the win. McIlroy got to the 18th green in two shots and had two putts to par.

With the crowd sensing an exclamation point on the first putt, the second putt landed to end the climactic finish with a bit less drama.