Schauffele wins, Thomas takes FedEx Cup jackpot

“I’m very pleased with the way 2017 has gone and we have a chance to cap it off next week in New York”, Spieth said. Rory McIlroy owned 2014 with two majors. But he couldn’t keep the run going and he ended the week in a tie for seventh.

“I got on the greens and this was the most uncomfortable I’ve been with the putter in my hands maybe in my career”. After opening in 68-66-71, the Englishman began T9 on 5-under, seven adrift of 54-hole leader Paul Casey. Kisner, 33, carded a 70 and finished tied for third, at 10-under, with a fellow former Bulldog, Russell Henley.

However, the 40-year-old had three bogeys on the front nine, his eventual 73 leaving him in fifth on nine under.

Xander Schauffele all but locked in his award for Rookie of the Year after capturing the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake.

His repeat victory in Malaysia, his sweep of Hawaii – including a 59 and the lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history at the Sony Open – his first major and a bold finish at East Lake carried him to a FedEx Cup title and little doubt who was the best in golf this year.

There was a lot of talk regarding Player of the Year entering the play-offs, with Thomas, Spieth and Dustin Johnson leading most of the discussions. After a lull in mid-season, he won twice in three starts, claiming his first major at the PGA Championship and the second of the four playoff events at the Dell Technologies in Boston.

Thomas may have missed a putt at the final hole to tie with Schauffele, but he also had lots of reasons to celebrate – 10 million of them in fact. He played the leading-man role like a stage veteran.

Schauffele added some drama to his final hole when his two foot putt for the win ringed the cup before falling in.

“As a competitor you are mad that you didn’t win the tournament but then you realise what an unbelievable honour this is, the fact that you can win something over the entire course of the season”, said Thomas.

Justin Thomas will arrive for his title defence at next month’s CIMB Classic with another grand accolade, the 2017 FedExCup Champion, next to his name.

With his steely resolve down the stretch, Thomas was reminiscent of Woods at the same age.

“I know (2016) wasn’t as good as the year before, but he still had a pretty good year and all you ever heard was “Jordan is in a slump”.

One of the various ideas to have gained some traction is concluding the Tour Championship on Saturday, crowning the champion, then having the top six or eight (or whatever number) players in the points standings compete for the FedEx Cup title the next day. And on Sunday Schauffele demonstrated that he may be the next.