Rory McIlroy wins Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
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Rory McIlroy claimed his third title of the year and second FedEx Cup title with a four shot victory at the Tour Championship
McIlroy began the week five shots behind Justin Thomas in the new scoring format, but outplayed the rest of the field with a final round 66 to scoop the $15million reward for winning the FedEx Cup.
The World No.3 had to complete 31 holes of golf on Sunday after round three was suspended following the injury of six fans in a lightning strike, but looked at ease for the majority of the final day’s play.
Starting the fourth round one shot behind Brooks Koepka, McIlroy quickly overtook his playing partner at the top, and overcame a late stutter with a par save at the 16th and a 72nd hole birdie to finish four shots clear of Xander Schauffele.
“Such a cool way to end what has been for me a great season,” McIlroy said afterwards.
“I’ve given myself so many chances, and to win three times is awesome. I feel like I could have won more. But to win the FedEx Cup again, to persist the whole way throughout the year, to keep giving myself chances even when I was getting knocked back and not be denied, I’m very proud of myself, and I’m going to enjoy this one tonight.”
McIlroy’s victory is his third of 2019 – following his win at The Players Championship and RBC Canadian Open – and makes him just the second player, with Tiger Woods, to win the FedEx Cup twice.
Last year, McIlroy struggled in the final group alongside Woods as he won the Tour Championship, and it was something he thought about ahead of Sunday.
“I thought about the final group with Tiger last year, the final group with Brooks in Memphis a few weeks ago, and I really wanted to go out there and play well and really take it to him, and I did that for the most part. I went out, shot 66 on a really tough golf course and got the job done.
“You know, really cool, really cool to put my name on this trophy for a second time. Any time you can do something that only Tiger has done, you’re doing something right.”
“I’ll look back on this season, and there’s been a lot of good things that I’ve done and try to improve for next year again.”
