Horschel Rolls to Tour Championship & FedEx Cup Titles


A model of consistency, Billy Horschel fired his 12th straight round in the 60s, closing with a 2-under 68 Sunday to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup. To the victor of the spoils in these events, and Horschel earned $1.44 million for the Tour Championship title and a $10 million bonus as the Cup winner.

On Sunday at the par-70 East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, the 27-year-old Floridian carded three birdies and a bogey for a 2-under 68 and a 72-hole total of 11-under 269, three strokes ahead of Jim Furyk, who had a 69, and Rory McIlroy.

"Unbelievable," Horschel said about his recent stretch of great golf, which included a win in last week's BMW Championship. The Tour Championship title was the third of his career.

McIlroy was looking to cap off a stellar season that includes two major titles - in the British Open and PGA Championship, allowing him to rise to No. 1 in the world. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman began the final round tied for the lead with Horschel, but could only muster a 1-over 71 to drop into a tie for second.

"He was clutch when he needed to be," said McIlroy, who carded four birdies, two bogeys and a double on the par-3 sixth hole that virtually ruined his chances. "He played the best golf this week and I'm happy for him."

Four strokes behind the winner were Chris Kirk (68), England's Justin Rose (69) and Australia's Jason Day (69). Kirk entered Atlanta as the leader in the four-event FedEx Cup Playoffs off his victory in the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston two weeks ago.

Alone in seventh was Ryan Palmer (69), and another stroke back was Rickie Fowler (71). Sharing ninth at 276 were Gary Woodland (67), Spain's Sergio Garcia (66) and Aussie Adam Scott (70). Russell Henley (72) took 12th at 277.

The top-30 players in the Playoff standings qualified for the Tour Championship. Because No. 30 Dustin Johnson is on indefinite leave, only 29 players teed it up Thursday at the no-cut event in Atlanta.

Taking the next four spots behind Henley were Matt Kuchar (70), Bubba Watson (73), Cameron Tringale (71) and Bill Haas (70) at 278, 280, 281 and 282, respectively.

Rounding out the leaderboard were Brendon Todd (66) and Jimmy Walker (72) at 3-over 283; Kevin Na (73) and Patrick Reed (69) at 284; Zach Johnson (71) at 285; Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (73) at 286; Webb Simpson (70), Hunter Mahan (71) and Martin Kaymer (73) at 288; Australia's John Senden (74) at 290; Jordan Spieth (71) and Morgan Hoffman (76) at 292; and Geoff Ogilvy (73) at 20-over 300.

Despite being one of the hottest players on the planet, Horschel won't be joining Furyk, Fowler, Kuchar, Watson, Walker, Reed, Zach Johnson, Simpson, Mahan and Spieth on the USA Ryder Cup team, which will compete against the Europeans (including McIlroy, Garcia, Kaymer and Rose) in the Ryder Cup in two weeks at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

Instead, the winner of the 2014 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup will return home to be with his pregnant wife, Brittany, and await the arrival of his new daughter in two weeks.

"I'm on cloud nine. This is unbelievable," Horschel said. "From what I've heard, kids are very expensive, so the more money I can make, the better."

During the awards ceremony, Horschel sent out a verbal bouquet to his wife, who was back home this week. "I love you babe. I wish you were here. Unfortunately you haven't been here at any of my three victories. But there are many more down the road that I'm sure you will be at and little Skyler will be there too. Can't wait to get home. I will see you guys Tuesday morning or Tuesday afternoon. Looking forward to a beautiful girl being born in a few weeks."

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