It was the finish that PGA Tour executives dreamt of at the start of the week.
The world number one and best player this season on the PGA Tour going down to the 72nd hole with the poster boy of the Tour, Rory McIlroy.
It might also be said that Rory was the most popular winner.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy turns attention to LIV Golf in savage attack after FedEx Cup win
Tiger Woods carried the weight for the Tour for 25 years – no player will ever create the same hype and excitement. It’s just not possible.
But these days it is Rory who creates a buzz like no other player in the world.
The current unrest – it will be clearer this week who is in what camp – played into last week’s narrative.
Cameron Smith winning would have been a PR disaster for the FedEx Playoffs finale, even more so now that he is gone to the opposition.
There is no way to sugar coat that scenario.
The current Open champion has had his head turned by cash.
How much money do these people need?
He is surely worth north of $50m with a five year exemption at the top table, yet at 28 he sees his future on a start-up. It really beggars belief.
Scottie Scheffler was also a great story as he tried to add to a four-win season that included a first major victory. His six shot lead made it a turkey shoot.
The amazing thing with golf is that no matter how great you are or how good your current form, the game, because of the occasion, can turn everything on its head.
Rory went out and won it but he needed help. Scheffler never got settled and the sport can become so cruel in that instance.
The dynamic of chasing down a lead is so much more free flowing than trying to protect one. It was the perfect scenario – styles make fights and Sungae Im and Rory played to the beat of their own drum.
Im ran out of road and with Rory staring down Scheffler, it turned into a thrilling and historic third FedEx Tour championship for Rory.
His loss in St Andrews will always hurt but life moves on. He has a brilliant capacity to roll with the punches, and we saw further evidence of that with his start last Thursday.
Already four over after two holes played, 10 behind would have seemed insurmountable to most players. His 21 under total will fill him with much pride.
He was the best player in the majors this year without a victory. He is now the winner of a hugr bounty.
It is a dream finale for Rory and a fitting reward for a player who has stood tall for what he believes in.
Pelley really needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat now..
My main worry right now is where does the DP World Tour sit amidst all this change.
Rory McIlroy was first and foremost a European playing on the PGA Tour and that seems to have been lost in translation.
Questions on this subject need to be addressed next week in Wentworth.
The DP World Tour needs the top players to come back and support their national Opens as a set group of tournaments or it is in serious trouble.
I don’t feel with current changes to the OWGR that it can blossom.
CEO Keith Pelley needs to do something and quickly. What it will be and how it is structured is crucial in the coming weeks.
Pelley has to earn his stripes now and change the narrative.
The Tour is more than the Ryder Cup – it must survive because the product is worthy of watching.
The players, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry included, will face off next week surrounded by LIV players. It will trigger an unusual atmosphere.
Maybe it’s time to think outside the box.
European history is precious
I watched Crans last week and thoroughly enjoyed the tournament.
With the sense of history, as an iconic venue it surpassed East Lake in the States. The big challenges are the fields.
Thriston Lawrence played tremendous golf to claim a maiden victory up the mountain. Beginners’ luck is rare, as the course and test demand experience.
He defied all those odds to outlast Matt Wallace in a playoff.
His second victory of the season is so much sweeter after a Covid-affected win in South Africa.
I remember last year he pitched up at the K Club to practice in preparation for the Dunhill Links.
He couldn’t enter the UK due to Covid restrictions and used Ireland for a week to prepare for St Andrews.
He was a Sunshine Tour player with hopes and dreams of becoming a European Tour player.
In less than 11 months he is a two-time winner and now has a big Tour to play. He can express himself and fulfil his promise.
In a time when all the talk is of multiple millions, this is a great story.
Since the foundation of the European Tour this has always been the case.
His win followed in the footsteps of the greats to have played the Tour.
This must be protected.
It was only in 2008 when Rory McIlroy lost there in a playoff to Jeff Lucquin, missing out on his first Tour victory.
The European/DP World Tour is all about history and splendour and we can’t lose that.
Betting slip
Made in Denmark
Matt Wallace 20/1 Playing in Europe seems to be bringing out his old form at the moment.
Eddie Pepperel 28/1 He is starting to get back to his better self form-wise.
Pablo Larrazabal 40/1 Good each-way value for a seasoned winner.
Justin Walters 80/1 Likes a big finish at this time of year.
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