The Masters champion failed to challenge over the weekend, but still came away from East Lake with a six-figure payout
Rory McIlroy endured a frustrating weekend at the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake as his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood finally clinched his first win on on the PGA Tour.
Fleetwood, on his 164 tour start, broke his duct to win by three strokes from fellow overnight leader Patrick Cantlay.
The Englishman looked poised to win the first FedEx play-off event at the St Jude Championship having led by two shots with three to play.
However, he missed out on a play-off with Justin Rose beating JJ Spaun. He gained redemption in fine style on Sunday evening to win the FedEx Cup and the $10 Million first prize.
When asked what he did differently to get over the line, Fleetwood replied: “You just keep learning, this one, Travelers, Memphis and plenty before,” Fleetwood remarked, with Russell Henley tied for second at -15 and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler one shot further back in fourth with Corey Conners and Cameron Young, another USA wildcard hopeful.
“This wasn’t the most comfortable I’ve been, I’ve had a great attitude throughout it all, I was a bit erratic at times, but I was really proud of how I found my swing again on the 11th hole.
“When you’ve lost it so many times, three-shot lead down the last doesn’t seem so many. I’m proud of what I’ve done before, whether I’ve won or not, I’ve been proud of what I’ve done, I have a lot to learn.
“It doesn’t change anything, it’s one of many, you can’t win plenty if you don’t win the first one. They’re amazing, it makes me emotional, I said the buzz around me, it’s been amazing, the support like that, it’s so special, I’m so grateful, I said, ‘we’d do it together’.”
McIlroy, meanwhile, never threatened to add to his haul of three Fed-Ex Cup titles after falling out of contention with a disappointing one over-par round of 71 on Saturday.
The Masters champion failed to break par on Sunday, carding a level-par round of 70 to finish on six under-par for the tournament, some 12 shots behind Fleetwood.
The Holywood native finished T23 out of the field of 30, but still pocketed $395,000 while Shane Lowry finished T13 and won $570,000.
#Rory #McIlroy #prize #money #Tommy #Fleetwood #claims #FedEx #Cup #title #maiden #PGA #Tour #win
