Rory McIlroy had every reason to think he would leave the Players Championship with the gold trophy and a big payoff Sunday.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — The ball traced a defiant path across a rain-soaked green, needing to travel 30 feet, 4 inches. Four inches short of immortality, the ball lost its war against gravity.

The future Hall of Famer and the journeyman tied at 12-under 276 after 72 holes, setting up a three-hole aggregate playoff ...