Rory McIlroy winning The Players Championship gave him so much of what he doesn't need. The $4.5 million prize is the largest for any tournament in the world. It pushed McIlroy's career earnings on the PGA Tour alone to just over $99.

Rory McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff Monday to win his second Players Championship, perhaps cementing his status as the favorite to finally break through and complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters next month.

"Rory McIlroy earns $4.5 million for winning his second Players Championship. J.J. Spaun cashes a $2.725 million check for his second-place finish," Rumsey wrote. Spaun still earned $2.725 million, a nice payday for a second-place finish.