American Brandt Snedeker earned a massive pay day by upstaging the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to claim the US PGA Tour Championship and FedEx Cup on Sunday.
Snedeker claimed the $US1.44 million ($A1.38 million) tournament winner’s cheque in Atlanta and a $US10 million ($A9.61 million) bonus for clinching the season-long points race.
The 31-year-old carded a two-under-par 68 in the final round at East Lake Golf Club to finish on 10-under, three clear of Englishman Justin Rose (71).
Englishman Luke Donald (67) and American Ryan Moore (70) shared third place, four shots off the pace at six-under.
Snedeker was brilliant for all but two holes on the final day, collecting five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in his round to claim the fourth and easily biggest win of his career.
“It’s just unbelievable,” Snedeker said.
“This is what you work your whole life for. I look at all the putts I’ve hit and all the shots I’ve hit all through my life, it’s just unbelievable the ability to stay calm today.”
All three of Snedeker’s previous wins came from well behind on the final day, making up deficits of five, six and seven shots.
The 31-year-old was seen as a shaky leader, having lost the two previous times he led after three rounds.
“I’m sure 90 per cent of you all probably didn’t pick me to win today because I’ve never done it before, and I don’t blame you,” Snedeker told reporters.
“But today was my day to go out and prove a bunch of people wrong, that I can play with the lead. I can handle the pressure.
“I’ve never had more confidence in myself than I have the last five weeks, and I made sure that I kept telling myself that all day.
“I am one of the best players in the world. This is supposed to happen.”
Australia’s faint hopes of a strong finish never materialised.
Adam Scott shot 72 to finish at three-over-par for the week, a distant 13 shots back in 19th place.
“I was a little bit off and a bit loose this week,” Scott lamented.
“The week off didn’t do me any good as I was playing nice and tight and I just didn’t keep that rhythm going.
“I didn’t really hit it close enough this week. I don’t know why but I just couldn’t get it quite dialled in.”
Fellow Aussie John Senden (75) was back in 26th, 18 off the pace.
Woods and McIlroy, starting four and three off the lead respectively, were expected to make a Sunday charge but both were extremely disappointing.
Woods faded out of contention with a 72, dropping him into a tie for eighth at two-under.
McIlroy seemingly couldn’t buy a good tee shot, hitting just two of 14 fairways on the way to a 74 and a tie for 10th at one-under.
