Jason Day has put injury and form problems behind him to produce a plucky tie for fourth in the FedEx Cup finale at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Day finished four shots off the pace set by 27-year-old last start winner Billy Horschel who has amassed a fortune in the past three weeks.
After missing the cut in the first of four play-off events Horschel finished tied for second in the second week two then clinched back-to-back events to emerge top of the season-long points race for the FedEx Cup and the $US10 million bonus.
A final round two-under 68, his 12th straight round in the 60s, left him 11 under par for the week in Atlanta, three clear of his nearest challengers in world No.1 Rory McIlroy (71) and American veteran Jim Furyk (69), who finished eight under.
By adding the $US1,440,000 winner’s cheque from East Lake and the $US10 million bonus, Horschel has pocketed $US13,477,333.33 in just three tournaments.
"I’m on cloud nine. It’s unbelievable," said Horschel, who was ranked 82nd on the points list after the first playoff.
"The year I had, I wasn’t sure this was going to happen, but I kept believing, everyone on my team kept believing in me and just kept my head up high.
"I’m a positive guy, I always see things glass half full, and it turned out for the best, and I can’t be more thrilled."
Day shot a final round 69 to tie for fourth at seven under par with Justin Rose and Chris Kirk.
The Queensland star crept to within two shots of the lead early on the last day but faded in the middle of the round before two late birdies ensured a high finish.
"I finished strong today, which was nice to get myself to fourth," Day said.
"Given my injuries this week and others I’m very encouraged with how I played this year."
He has been troubled by back and thumb injuries but also problems from the tee. Day has relied on his brilliant short game to keep him in contention at the Tour Championship.
Day struggled his way around for an even-par third round of 70, hitting just five of 14 fairways – he had landed on just 17 of 42 fairways, tied last in the field.
"I know exactly how every amateur feels," Day told AAP. "I had no idea where I was going with my driver.
"I was stressing over pretty much every shot. Once you start losing confidence with the driver, it slowly goes down the bag, and luckily I had my short game today."
But he remained upbeat going into the final round.
"I’m three back and I’m still in it," he said on Saturday. "I’ve got to play the best golf of my life tomorrow to beat Rory and Billy but I’m not going to give up," he said.
"I feel like I’m due a good day of hitting and I’ve felt like I’m due a win for a long time so I’m excited for the challenge."
McIlroy shared the overnight lead with Horschel and was favourite to win given his streak of success which has produced two majors in the British Open and the US PGA in the past few months.
But after handing over the lead on the fifth hole he sprayed his tee ball in the water on the par three sixth and took a double bogey, making his claim for the big money an uphill battle.
"I just got really frustrated and just couldn’t muster the energy to try and get something going again," McIlroy said.
"And even when I was hitting good shots, I was hitting bad putts."
Furyk was within one with two holes to play but finished with two bogies to end his charge.
World No.2 Adam Scott (70) finished in a tie for ninth at four under.
John Senden ended the event with a four-over 74 to be 10 over for the week and 26th while Geoff Ogilvy (73) finished last in the 29-man field at 20-over the card.
By: Robert Grant