Adam Scott takes Barclays to the bank
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Masters champion Adam Scott won The Barclays by one stroke in the first event of the FedExCup play-offs.
Australia’s US Masters champion fired a five-under 66 to edge Tiger Woods, US Open champion Justin Rose, Gary Woodland and Graham DeLaet in New Jersey.
Scott finished an hour before the final group but watched as Woods’s birdie putt fell inches short on 18, after Rose had three-putted the final green.
Overnight co-leader Woodland carded two-over 73, while DeLaet took 65.
“I’m pretty shocked,” said the 33-year-old Scott, who climbs to a career-high second in the world rankings.
“There were so many guys out there with a chance and I really didn’t think I had much of a chance. If you hang around the lead long enough, you’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some.”
Scott had not won since clinching his maiden major title in a play-off against Angel Cabrera at Augusta in April, but he tied for third at the Open and tied for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
“It’s been a great year for me. Got to keep it going now, three big weeks in the play-offs left and hopefully I can cap it off with a big win in the FedExCup,” said the Australian, with an eye toward the $10m (£6.4m) bonus paid to the series winner.
The top 100 on the FedExCup points list advance to next week’s second of four end-of-season play-off events, the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston.
World number one Woods shot 69 after sinking to his knees with back spasms following a hooked drive into water on the 13th at Liberty National.
The 14-time major champion birdied the 16th and 17th but left his 25ft chance from off the 18th green agonisingly short.
The American, who has won five times this season, was not sure whether his back would be fit enough to compete next week.
“That’s all hypothetical. I just got off (the course) and I’m not feeling my best right now,” he said.
The FedExCup concludes with the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta from September 19-22.
Recent FedEx Cup winners
2012: B Snedeker (US)
2011: B Haas (US)
2010: J Furyk (US)
2009: T Woods (US)
2008 V Singh (Fij)