PGA Tour
TOUR Championship
McIlroy Wins His Third FedExCup
Rory McIlroy scored a dramatic come-from-behind win to claim the PGA Tour’s season-ending TOUR Championship by one shot. The stunning and popular victory at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, was cheered home by adoring fans. It was the Northern Irishman’s third FedExCup trophy, which is the most by any player in the event’s 16-year history. (Tiger Woods owns two titles). McIlroy, aged 33, earned the massive US$18 million first place prize. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Sungjae Im finished one shot back in a share of second place. Both players will bank US$4.75 million.
McIlroy trailed Scheffler by six shots heading into the final round. The four-time major champion carded a final round 4-under 66 to get to 21-under for the event. The brilliant round included draining a 31-foot birdie putt at the 15th green to tie Scheffler in the lead. Scheffler bogeyed the 16th hole to hand McIlroy the narrow one-shot margin with two holes to play. It was the first time in 70 holes the Texan trailed the lead. Both players made pars at the closing two holes. Scheffler signed for a disappointing 3-over 73. Im joined Scheffler at 20-under for the week with his birdie at the 17th hole. The Korean produced a final round 4-under 66.
Sander Schauffele continued his love affair with the East Lake layout reaching 18-under and finishing in solo fourth place after a final round 1-under 69. This was the American’s six start at the TOUR Championship. Schauffele has never shot worse than par in his 24 rounds. The impressive breakdown features 21 rounds in the 60s and just three scores at 70 (par).
Max Homa and Justin Thomas rounded out the top five getting to 17-under. Homa enjoyed scores of 62, 66 and 66 from Friday to Sunday. Thomas produced a final round 2-under 68 after firing an electrifying 63 at his third round.
Cameron Smith was the best-placed Australian at the season-long series. Smith closed with a 1-under 69 to get to 9-under and finish 20th. Adam Scott was the only other Aussie to make it to the TOUR Championship. The Queenslander finished in 25th place.
Final Scores
TOUR Championship
1. Rory McIlroy 21-under
T2. Scottie Scheffler 20-under
T2. Sungjae Im 20-under
4. Xander Schauffele 18-under
T5. Max Homa 17-under
T5. Justin Thomas 17-under
T7. Sepp Straka 16-under
T7. Patrick Cantlay 16-under
9. Tony Finau 15-under
10. Tom Hoge 14-under
Australians
20. Cameron Smith 9-under
25. Adam Scott 4-under
Image credit: Getty Images
