Rory McIlroy stumbled briefly in the closing holes of the FedEx Cup's Tour Championship, but rebounded strongly to win the tournament and claim his second FedEx Cup title.
McIlroy shot a 4-under 66 in the final round at East Lake in Atlanta to win the FedEx Cup by four strokes over Xander Schauffele.
McIlroy also won the FedEx Cup in 2016. He and Tiger Woods are the only golfers to win two FedEx Cups.
The 30-year-old native of Northern Ireland appeared en route to an easy victory in the final round, holding a four-stroke lead through 13 holes. But he picked up his first bogey of the round on the 14th, then bogeyed the par-3 15th. Then he hit his drive on the par-4 16 into a fairway bunker. With his lead cut to two strokes, disaster loomed, but McIlroy saved par on 16.
He then knocked down a 16-foot putt for birdie on No. 17 to build a three-stroke lead.
Rory McIlroy is putting like he wants that Tour Championship title. (via @PGATOUR)pic.twitter.com/5md7nNKv00
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 25, 2019
As fans surrounded the 18th green en masse, shouting "Rory! Rory!" McIlroy made a nice save from a green-side bunker, then holed out a short birdie putt to finish in style.
"Such a cool way to end what for me has been a great season," McIlroy told NBC. "I'm so thankful … I couldn't be prouder to be your 2019 FedEx Cup champion."
The last putt of the season. 🏆@McIlroyRory finishes in style @PlayoffFinale.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 25, 2019
He's the 2019 #FedExCup champion. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/BA4OvCrnnv
McIlroy's brief struggles on his back nine opened the door for Schauffele and Brooks Koepka, but they couldn't capitalize. Schauffele shot a final-round 70. Koepka bogeyed 12, 13 and 14, and needed a birdie on 17 to salvage a 72 and a tie for third with Justin Thomas, five shots behind McIlroy for the title. Thomas shot a 68 Sunday and birdied 16 and 18 to boost his payday.
Paul Casey finished fifth, nine shots behind McIlroy, despite a final-round 72.
Adam Scott, Tony Finau, Chez Reavie finished sixth through eighth, respectively, and Patrick Reed, Kevin Kisner and Hideki Matsuyama tied for ninth.
McIlroy took home $15 million for winning the FedEx Cup, but even with that PGA-record payout, it pales in comparison to the bragging rights that come with winning the championship.
That's a big trophy, @McIlroyRory. 😅
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 25, 2019
The #FedExCup. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/SiQB20dqo5