When it comes to nerve-wracking finishes, few tournaments deliver heart-stopping drama quite like The PLAYERS Championship. Did you know this prestigious event has witnessed only six playoffs in its 51-year history? That’s right. The tournament’s iconic TPC Sawgrass course, with its notorious island green 17th hole, transforms into golf’s ultimate pressure cooker during these rare extra-hole battles.

From Raymond Floyd’s inaugural playoff win in 1981 to the upcoming McIlroy-Spaun showdown, these nail-biting finishes have golfers facing their deepest fears and fans holding their collective breath. Let’s look back at the three most recent times when 72 holes just wasn’t enough to crown a champion at golf’s unofficial “fifth major.”

Rickie Fowler’s remarkable rally

Rickie Fowler‘s 2015 victory stands as perhaps the most dramatic playoff in the tournament’s history. He first had to mount an incredible charge just to reach extra holes, playing the final four holes of regulation in a jaw-dropping 5-under par. “I felt like I had nothing to lose,” Fowler said after forcing a three-way playoff with Kevin Kisner and Sergio García at 12-under.

What made this playoff particularly special was that it marked the first use of the tournament’s new three-hole aggregate format across holes 16–18. After García was eliminated during the aggregate portion, Fowler and Kisner remained tied, sending them to sudden death beginning at the infamous island green. Returning to the 17th hole for the third time that day, Fowler delivered yet another clutch birdie to claim the prestigious title, remarkably going 3-for-3 with birdies at the intimidating par-3 during Sunday’s epic finish.

KJ Choi’s clutch par as David Toms falters

The 2011 playoff between K.J. Choi and David Toms provided a heartbreaking illustration of how pressure can affect even the steadiest veterans at TPC Sawgrass. Using the sudden-death format that began at the 17th hole, both players safely found the island green and lagged their long birdie attempts to within three feet.

What happened next shocked everyone watching. Toms, known for his rock-solid putting, inexplicably lipped out his short par putt, giving Choi the victory with his simple par conversion. “I felt bad for David because he’s a great player,” said Choi, who became the first Korean player to win THE PLAYERS. Toms, visibly stunned by the miss, could only shake his head in disbelief at how quickly victory had slipped away on golf’s most pressure-packed stage.

Sergio García’s island green triumph

After a 21-year playoff drought at TPC Sawgeass, Sergio García and Paul Goydos delivered high drama in 2008. The sudden-death format started at the signature 17th hole, where nerves immediately became a factor. Goydos, facing the intimidating island green first, saw his tee shot splash short into the water, essentially handing the championship to García.

The Spaniard needed only to find dry land, which he did comfortably, making par to secure his biggest victory to date. “I was just trying to hit the green,” García admitted afterward. “When Paul hit it in the water, I just wanted to be safe.” The victory proved the island green’s reputation as not just a spectacular hole but a nervy playoff venue that can quickly end championship dreams.

As Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun prepare for Monday’s playoff at the 2025 Players Championship, they’ll add their names to this rare and dramatic tradition that has created some of golf’s most memorable sudden-death moments.