It's surreal: Billy Horschel outguns Rory McIlroy to US$10m bonus
American caps off best three weeks of his career with the biggest pay-off in the game
Billy Horschel felt "surreal" after producing the best three weeks of his golfing career just when he need to, capping an astonishing play-off run with a three-shot victory at the Tour Championship on Sunday.
With his PGA Tour season hanging in the balance after a missed cut at last month’s Barclays tournament, he gave himself a timely wake-up call and proceeded to finish second, first and first to secure FedExCup honours and the US$10 million jackpot.
I’m on cloud nine, it’s unbelievable. I knew my game was in the right shape, and I just needed to get out of my own way, needed to allow my golf game to show, and did it show the last three weeks
Horschel’s performance in the season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club was hugely impressive as he extended his run of scores in the sixties to 12, the longest on tour, and outshot world number one Rory McIlroy in the final round to triumph.
"It’s surreal, it really is," a beaming Horschel said after closing with a two-under-par 68 in damp, overcast conditions to finish three ahead of fellow American Jim Furyk and McIlroy. "I’m on cloud nine, it’s unbelievable."
"I warmed up pretty well and got off to a pretty solid start, had some good looks on the first three holes, and just kept playing solid. Maybe the back nine could have been a little bit cleaner, but it was good enough to get the job done.
"I’m thrilled to be the FedExCup champion and the Tour Championship champion, especially with the year I’ve had."