Posted: 23:00, 28 August 2022 | Updated: 01:22, 29 August 2022
It was Scottie Scheffler’s Tour Championship to lose and that’s what he did, a sensational burst from Rory McIlroy allowing him to come from behind to win the FedEx Cup season finale. World No 1 Scheffler’s six-shot lead at the start of the final round was wiped out in seven holes as McIlroy turned it into a battle of the best for £15m at East Lake. It was especially impressive given how he opened the week with a triple bogey. Few expected McIlroy to continue to trouble the top of the leaderboard, but the Northern Irishman clawed his way into contention – completing the comeback to finish level 21 and become the first three-time winner in FedEx Cup history. Rory McIlyroy lifts FedEx Cup for third time after disappointing result in Atlanta Money has never been more of an issue in the world of golf and McIlroy’s victory in Atlanta comes at a time when the lure of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and its lavish prize pots is dividing the sport. Scheffler, Team PGA Tour, like McIlroy, will receive almost £5 million as joint runner-up at 20 under. Using his victory speech to highlight his distaste for LIV Golf, McIlroy said: “This is a proud moment for me, but it should also be an incredibly proud moment for the PGA Tour. They’ve had some tough times this year, but we’re getting through it. McIlroy overcomes challenge from world number one Scottie Scheffler to regain title McIlroy’s stance against LIV Golf makes his achievement all the more impressive and he added: “It’s been a very tumultuous time in our game. This is the best place in the world to play golf. I don’t know why you would want to play anywhere else.’ Scheffler has enjoyed a great season, and while his collapse at East Lake will draw attention, McIlroy’s resurgence deserves credit. It wasn’t supposed to be another Rory story at the start of the day, but it did. Going into the final round, Scheffler was at 23 under with McIlroy and Xander Schauffele his closest challengers at 17 under. However, some superb play from McIlroy, including four birdies in five holes, saw Scheffler’s advantage disappear and leave the pair level on 20 under. With the crowd chanting “Rory, Rory,” McIlroy took a one-shot lead into the final two holes. Scheffler then missed a chance to get level at the 17th before McIlroy sealed victory with a par at the last. The Northern Irishman was able to celebrate a one-shot victory after Scheffler’s early delay Yesterday’s season finale capped a tumultuous year in which golf was rocked by its revolutionary breakaway championship. It emerged yesterday that Saudi-backed LIV Golf has joined some of its defectors in their lawsuit against the PGA Tour, although an amended complaint shows four golfers have had their names removed from it. Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Bryson DeChambeau and eight others announced earlier this month that they were suing the PGA Tour over its decision to suspend them. According to the amended complaint filed in San Jose, California, LIV Golf is now seeking “punitive damages against the PGA Tour for its tortious interference with LIV Golf’s future business relationships.” Abraham Ancer, Jason Kokrak, Carlos Ortiz and Pat Perez are the four retired.
