WASHINGTON: Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy capped a stunning comeback with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole to win the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday, along with FedExCup honours and the $10 million bonus.
McIlroy rolled in a 15-foot putt at East Lake’s par-four 16th to beat American Ryan Moore, sending the large gallery into a frenzy that might more likely be expected at next week’s Ryder Cup.
“It was incredible,” former world number McIlroy said at the victory presentation. “Sorry for the hoarse voice. I sort of lost my voice screaming at the end.
McIlroy, 27, vaulted into the playoff with a barnstorming finish to his final round, holing out from 140 yards to eagle the same hole where he would clinch the win 90 minutes later.
He closed his final-round 64 with a tap-in birdie at the par-five 18th and only joined the playoff with American Kevin Chappell (66) and Moore (64) when the latter’s eight-footer to win in regulation lipped out.
McIlroy then squandered a golden chance to win it at the first extra hole when he missed a six-footer. Chappell was eliminated on the first extra hole.
McIlroy looked shell-shocked but regrouped to sink a seven-footer and stave off defeat at the third extra hole, before clinching it at the next.