ATLANTA – In a dramatic conclusion to the PGA Tour season, Rory McIlroy staged a brilliant final-round comeback to win the 2025 Tour Championship, overtaking a faltering Scottie Scheffler to claim a historic fourth FedEx Cup title. McIlroy’s masterful six-under-par 64 on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club capped a thrilling week and secured him the colossal $25 million grand prize.

Entering the final round six strokes behind Scheffler, the world No. 1 and overwhelming favorite, McIlroy’s chances seemed slim. Scheffler had dominated the season and appeared poised to convert his starting advantage into his second FedEx Cup victory. However, the pressure of the final day appeared to take its toll, while McIlroy thrived under it.

A Tale of Two Back Nines

The momentum began to shift early on the back nine. While McIlroy remained steady, stringing together crucial pars and timely birdies, Scheffler’s seemingly insurmountable lead began to evaporate. A costly bogey on the 13th hole, followed by a wayward drive on the 14th that led to another dropped shot, opened the door for the Northern Irishman.

McIlroy capitalized on the opportunity with precision and nerve. A stunning approach shot on the par-4 15th set up a 10-foot birdie putt, which he calmly rolled in to tie for the lead. The roar from the gallery signaled a definitive change in the tournament's trajectory.

"You just have to stay patient out here," McIlroy said in a post-round interview with CBS Sports. "I knew if I could post a number, especially on this course, anything could happen. Scottie is an unbelievable competitor, but this game can be tough, and I was fortunate to play some of my best golf when it mattered most."

The Decisive Moments

The tournament effectively hinged on the final three holes. After both players parred the 16th and 17th, they arrived at the par-5 18th tied for the lead. Scheffler, needing a birdie to force a playoff, pushed his tee shot into the right-hand fairway bunker, leaving a difficult second shot. He was ultimately unable to get up-and-down for birdie, settling for par.

McIlroy, meanwhile, found the fairway and laid up perfectly. His third shot, a crisp wedge, landed just eight feet from the hole. With the championship on the line, he drained the putt for a winning birdie, unleashing a triumphant fist pump as the crowd erupted.

Scheffler was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the challenge of closing out the season-long race. "I just didn't have my best stuff today," he stated. "It’s disappointing, but hats off to Rory. He played a fantastic round of golf and earned it. To come from that far back is incredibly impressive."

A Historic Victory

The victory cements McIlroy’s place in PGA Tour history. His fourth FedEx Cup title (previously won in 2016, 2019, and 2022) moves him two clear of Tiger Woods, who is the only other player to have won it more than once. The win serves as a powerful statement at the end of a season marked by consistent but, until now, major-less play for McIlroy.

The Tour Championship concludes the 2024-25 PGA Tour season, with players now heading into a short offseason before the calendar resets. For Rory McIlroy, however, this victory provides a resounding and lucrative finish, reaffirming his status as one of the most resilient and talented players of his generation.