Rory McIlroy Wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup
After a thrilling four-hole playoff, Rory McIlroy came out on top at the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup.
There certainly wasn’t a shortage of drama as the 2015-16 PGA Tour season came to end today at the Tour Championship. In the end, Rory McIlroy won a thrilling four-hole playoff that got him both the victory and the FedEx Cup — as well as the $10 million bonus that comes with it.
McIlroy holed out to eagle the par 4 16th, helping him to his six-under 64 in the final round. His birdie on the 72nd hole brought him to 12-under for the tournament and, more importantly, into a tie for the lead. Americans Kevin Chappell and Ryan Moore ended up tied with McIlroy after their rounds, bringing the season finale to sudden death.
Heading into the first playoff hole, there were two potential FedEx Cup scenarios in play. A McIlroy victory would result in his name going on the FedEx Cup, but a win for Moore or Chappell would hand the prize to Dustin Johnson, who ended up in a tie for sixth after sleeping on a share of the 54-hole lead.
The three golfers headed to East Lake’s par 5 18th for the first playoff hole. Moore and Chappell found the left rough to start, while McIlroy’s straight tee shot ended up in the second cut with a good lie and a great line at the green. He hit another bomb with his shot to find himself on the green with a 10-footer for eagle while Moore and Chappell were putting for birdie. However, the putt that would have won it all lipped out, so McIlroy and Moore continued the playoff. Chappell was eliminated after making a par.
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The two went back, played the 18th hole again and traded pars. Afterwards, the action headed to yet another playoff hole, this time the par 3 15th with its peninsula green. McIlroy and Moore traded pars once again and continued on to the par 4 17th.
On the 17th hole, McIlroy finally emerged victorious. Moore had already sunk his par putt to put the pressure on McIlroy to make his birdie for the win. It didn’t lip out this time — the Ulsterman drained the putt to put himself on top of the golf world. He became just the second European player to capture the FedEx Cup, joining Henrik Stenson
Nearing the end of the final round, Dustin Johnson was the only top five player in points who had a shot at taking home the FedEx Cup. Paul Casey (5th) went the lowest of the group, with his final round 64 helping him to finish in fourth with a nine-under tournament score. Next was Adam Scott (3rd), who finished in a tie for eighth at four-under. As for Patrick Reed (2nd) and Jason Day (4th), the week didn’t go so well. Reed shot a three-over tournament score to finish in a tie for 24th, while Jason Day withdrew with a back injury during the second round.
Next: Tour Championship: A History of the PGA Tour Season Finale
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