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Brandt Snedeker scored an early blow for the United States ahead of this week's Ryder Cup with victory over Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy in the FedEx Cup.
Snedeker takes home the $10 million bonus after winning the Tour Championship on Sunday at East Lake while McIlroy could only tie for 10th, thereby conceding first spot in the FedEx Cup standings to the American.
"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. It just came through. I was
so calm last night, I couldn't believe it. Just, I'm very rarely
speechless, but this is about as close as I get to speechless," said
Snedeker.
Northern Ireland's young superstar Rory McIlroy had won
twice during the playoffs event, but he, like Tiger Woods who was also fighting it out to top the FedEx leaderboard, were unable
to raise there game on the final hurdle. Snedeker was the only player to
break par in the last five groups.
Such was the 31-year-old Nashville native's lead on the back nine, that even a wayward drive on the 18th couldn't prevent him from winning it all.
''I think it solidifies what I already know,'' Snedeker said. ''I
think when I play my best golf, my best golf is some of the best in the
world. 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.
It's OK to feel nervous, and no matter what I feel today, everybody else
in the field feels exactly the same way I do.
''So go out there and get it done. I did a great job of that.''
England's
Justin Rose came second after shooting a final round 71, but it was
McIlroy, who finished tied for tenth, who would have been most
disappointed with his performance.
After winning twice within a week at
both the Deutsche Bank Championship and BMW Championship, McIlroy and
many others fancied his chances at taking the jackpot FedEx Cup prize.
''I'm
a little disappointed, but at the same time, Brandt really deserves to
win,'' McIlroy said. ''He played the best golf out of anyone. He knew
what he needed to do. He needed to come in here and win. He controlled
his own destiny, just like I did. And he was able to come and do that.
So because of that, he really deserves it. |