Jordan Spieth wins big cash FedEx Cup and returns to world No1
Reinstated world No1 Jordan Spieth admitted the sight of others prospering stoked his desire to reassert himself by winning the Tour Championship and claiming the £7.5m for being crowned FedEx Cup champion.
The 22-year-old carded a final-round 69 at East Lake, Atlanta yesterday to post a four-shot victory and bank a cheque for £977,000 to add to his £6.5m bonus for prevailing in the end of season play-off championship.
“I got frustrated. I missed two cuts in a row, which I’d never done before and I lost the No1 ranking. I was watching Jason Day just dominate golf and I was frustrated. So I got to work,” said Spieth, who won the US Open and Masters this season.
“We approach this [FedEx Cup] like a Major championship. Mentally we stayed in it even if I didn’t have my best ball striking, and boy that putter sure paid off.”
England’s Justin Rose, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson — who had held a three shot lead after 36 holes — and New Zealand’s Danny Lee finished in a four-way tie for second place on five under for the tournament. Englishman Paul Casey was among those to finish a further shot behind on four under.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy finished on one over par following a final-round 74, while Australia’s Jason Day ended tied 10th on two over.