America’s Jordan Spieth hit a final-round 69 to win the Tour Championship in Atlanta, earning £7.5m by also securing victory in the FedEx Cup.
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Sweden’s Henrik Stenson rolled in a 57-foot birdie putt at the last for a 72 to tie for second on 5-under 275 with Englishman Justin Rose (66) and Danny Lee of New Zealand (65).
Spieth becomes the youngest player to win the FedExCup Championship and with it caps off the most lucrative season in PGA Tour history, bringing in over $22 million.
The cheque for second place is $US618,750, lifting his 2015 prizemoney earnings to $US3.97 million.
“This year is unreal”, said Spieth, who in addition to his two major victories finished tied for fourth at the British Open and runner-up to Day at the PGA Championship. His five wins this season included not only his breakthrough major at the PGA but also two playoff tournaments, but he finished third in the FedEx Cup final standings behind Spieth and Stenson.
“So I don’t need tomorrow to justify it. But I’m not going to sit here and say US$10 million doesn’t mean anything to me because it does”, Spieth added. Jordan Spieth will beat out Jason Day for the 2015 PGA Tour Player of the Year Award because Jordan won two majors vs just one for Jason Day plus Jordan Spieth won the FedEx Cup.
Despite his disappointment, Day played consistently at East Lake with his worst score of the week a one-over 71. He showed up Monday morning to get to work on the range, and Sunday morning was even more impressive. “Mentally I stayed in it, and boy, that putter sure paid off”. “Two Majors, a couple other wins, and what we have been able to do consistently this year, that’s a huge step up from anything I’ve ever done”, said the 22-year-old American.
TOUR Championship TV coverage starts at noon and runs through 1:30 pm EST on Golf Channel. And with Stenson slightly more than 3 feet away for a birdie on No. 11, Spieth curled in a 45-foot birdie putt.
“Now that it’s over, I’m looking forward to getting some rest”.
Dustin Johnson posted a 64 – the lowest round of the day – to climb into a tie for fifth with Bubba Watson (67) and Paul Casey (70) on four under.
“This is one I can not wait to celebrate”, Spieth said. The ballots went out to players on Sunday night, and Spieth figures to be a runaway victor.
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While the race remained close until the end, Spieth looked relaxed – nearly carefree – and embraced the fitting end to his season with an eight-foot putt on the 18 and a smile on his face.
