Ryder Cup 2016: Rory McIlroy sinks £9million jackpot to give European team perfect boost
Europe's sole man in the competition finished ahead of all eight members of the American team that played
RORY MCILROY produced a £9million wonder shot to hit the Tour Championship jackpot, and give Europe the perfect Ryder Cup boost.
McIlroy holed his second shot at the 16th for a sensational eagle to force his way into a three-man play-off – and then took out American rivals Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell in overtime.
The world No 3 needed four bites of the cherry to get the job done, missing a six footer for another eagle at the first extra hole to throw Moore a lifeline.
But he eventually snatched it back when the play-off action moved back to the 16th – a 454 yards stretch of Georgia that must now ranks as McIlroy’s favourite hole of all time.
It took more Mclory heroics as Moore bravely sank a 16 footer to save par – but the Ulsterman would not be denied, and he poured in a brilliant birdie putt from a few feet closer.
With world No 2 Dustin Johnson surrendering a share of the 54 hole lead and stumbling into a share of sixth place, that opened the bank vault doorsfor his rivals.
And McIlroy charged past him to claim the monster £7.7millon bonus as FedEx Cup champion.
That was on top of a winner’s cheque for more than £1.2million. It is hard to believe McIlroy had LOST every one of the previous four play-offs he was involved in.
As an added bonus, Europe’s sole representative at East Lake finished miles clear of all eight members of the American Ryder Cup team who lined up against him.
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Yet McIlroy was two shots behind playing partner Moore and three behind Chappell with three holes to play – but he then hit the shot of his life to roar back into contention.
He took dead aim with a wedge from 137 yards and his ball took a couple of bounces and then spun sideways into the hole.
McIlroy has enjoyed plenty of moments to savour as a four-time Major champion, but he has never looked more excited on a golf course.
His fist-pumping celebration was followed by a steam of high fives with the crowd as he strode to the 17th tee – but there were still a few twists and turns to come before it went to overtime.
Chappell edged back into a two shot lead with a birdie at 16 – only to give that one straight back on 17 – while Moore’s birdie on the penultimate hole breiefly put him back into the driving seat.
But McIlroy was the only player to birdie the par five 18th, courtesy of a sublime bunker shot, with Moore missing a £9millionputt from 8ft 3ins, and that meant all three had finished on 12 under.