ATLANTA — Brandt Snedeker said he earned something more valuable than money Sunday, and he made more than $11.4 million, when he won the PGA Tour Championship to become the FedEx Cup champion.
He said he proved to himself he could beat the best in the world.
Snedeker was one of five players, along with Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney, who entered the week knowing that a victory at East Lake would clinch the $10 million bonus, regardless of what anybody else in the field of 30 did.
Snedeker, the only player in the last five groups to break par Sunday, rose to the top with three big birdies on the back nine. He built such a big lead that his final tee shot sailed into the grandstands to the left of the 18th green and it didn’t even matter. Snedeker closed with a 2-under 68 for a three-shot victory in the Tour Championship, and a $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.
“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.”
McIlroy, the best player in golf this year and the No. 1 seed going into the Tour Championship, faded early by dropping four shots in a four hole span on the front nine. So did Woods, who already was 3 over on his round before making his first birdie on the par-5 ninth.
Snedeker beat Justin Rose (71) by three shots, his second victory of the season, and a valuable one at that. First prize for winning is $1.44 million. Add the $10 million bonus from the FedEx Cup, and it’s the richest payoff in golf.
Big deal.
Snedeker, a 31-year-oldfrom Nashville, Tenn., calls that kind of money “crazy talk ... like winning the lottery.” Far greater perspective came from a 30-minute hospital visit Sunday morning with Tucker Anderson, the son of his swing coach who was critically injured in a car accident and is in a responsive coma.
“I asked him if he thought I was going to beat Rory McIlroy, and he gave me a wink,” Snedeker said.
He beat McIlroy and everyone else in his way at East Lake. Ryan Moore was tied for the lead with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, only to make bogey on the last three holes for a 70 to tie for third with Luke Donald (67).
McIlroy had won the last two playoff events and three of his last four tournaments dating to his record eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship. He still is virtually a lock to be voted PGA Tour player of the year, but he had to settle for second place - and a $3 million bonus - in the FedEx Cup.
“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.”
How can Snedeker explain winning the FedEx Cup over a player who won twice during the playoffs?
“Life is all about timing,” he said, grinning.
Snedeker, who finished on 10-under 270, now has four career victories and moved into the top 10 in the world for the first time.
WEB.COM TOUR
Guthrie wins again
MIDLAND, Texas - Luke Guthrie rallied to win the WNB Golf Classic on Sunday for his second consecutive Web.com Tour title, holing a 12-foot par putt on the final hole for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke victory.
Guthrie, a 22-year-old former University of Illinois player who turned professional this year after the NCAA tournament, had a 17-under 271 total at Midland Country Club.
He earned $99,000 to jump from fourth to first on the money list with $382,463. The final top 25 on the list will earn 2013 PGA Tour cards.
Guthrie, who won at Boise last week, has six top-10 finishes in seven starts on the developmental tour, losing a playoff to Ben Kohles in Columbus, Ohio, and tying for third in Omaha, Neb. The two-time Big Ten champion also has earned $284,672 in three PGA Tour starts, all top-20 finishes. He tied for fifth in the John Deere Classic in July.
Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a final-round 69 on Sunday to finish with a 7-under 281, 10 shots off the lead. He earned $4,593.
Sports, Pages 13 on 09/24/2012