Golf

Rory McIlroy secures huge payday with Tour Championship and FedEX Cup glory

Rory McIlroy came through a tense three-way play-off to win the Tour Championship in Atlanta and clinch the overall FedEx Cup title, securing a payday of US dollars 11.5million (£8.86million).

The Northern Irishman pocketed prize money of USD 1.5million (£1.15million) after edging out Americans Kevin Chappell and Ryan Moore at East Lake, in addition to a USD 10million (£7.70million) bonus for pipping Dustin Johnson to the FedEx Cup.

Chappell, who was the overnight joint leader with Johnson, looked to be on course to take the tournament title but a bogey on the 17th allowed McIlory and Moore back in.

Chappell then dropped out on the first sudden-death hole before McIlroy held his nerve to beat Moore on the fourth after they could not be separated on the second or third.

A win for either American would have seen compatriot Johnson win the FedEx Cup, but it was the world number three celebrating at the end as he took home both titles.

European team celebrating @McIlroyRory's victory before flying to Hazeltine pic.twitter.com/gNtxw7LEZ3 — Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupEurope) September 25, 2016

"It was incredible. As I said at the start of the day, all I wanted to do was concentrate on winning the Tour Championship," McIlroy said at the trophy presentation, shown on Sky Sports.

"I just needed to come out here and play a really good round of golf. I somehow was able to tie it up in regulation. I played with Ryan all day, who played phenomenally well. Big credit is due to him. He's playing fantastic golf and has done over the past few months so he should be really proud of himself.

"I just wanted to go out here and play the way I've been playing. I've played really well this week and feel like my game's coming together at the right time. Two wins in the last three feels pretty nice."

McIlroy had begun the day two shots behind Chappell and Johnson after keeping himself in contention with a flawless third-round 66 on Saturday. He, along with Moore, carded a fourth-round 64 on Sunday before Chappell's 66 left the trio level on 12 under to force the decider.

Johnson had fallen away earlier in the day with three bogeys and a double bogey which left him joint sixth with Justin Thomas on five under.

Speaking at the trophy presentation, shown on Sky Sports, McIlroy was full of praise for Moore.

"I couldn't control what anyone else did," he said. "I just needed to come out here and play a really good round of golf.

"I somehow was able to tie it up in regulation. I played with Ryan all day, who played phenomenally well. Big credit is due to him. He's playing fantastic golf and has done over the past few months so he should be really proud of himself.

"I just wanted to go out here and play the way I've been playing. I've played really well this week and feel like my game's coming together at the right time. Two wins in the last three feels pretty nice."