Rory McIlroy struck another telling blow for the European cause as he floored Ryder Cup rebel Paul Casey in the Deutsche Bank Championship last night.
McIlroy trailed the US-based Englishman by six shots heading into the final round at TPC Boston, but a brilliant six under par 65 propelled him to a morale-boosting two shots win.
That was just one shot less than the biggest 54 hole deficit the former world No 1 has managed to overcome- he started out seven adrift when he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth two years ago.
He also had to defy the sort of windy conditions that have often found him out in the past. But this was close to the perfect performance by Supermac.
He led the field in both driving distance and putting average not bad for a player who was 77th in putting a week earlier!
McIlroy can now target the $10million bonus for the overall FedEx Cup winner as this victory hoisted him from 38th to fourth in the dash for cash.
He said: Winning the FedEx Cup is one of the last things I want on my CV Ive won Majors, made it to world No 1 and won the European money list so thats the next one.
This one was special. I was four over par after three holes of this event, and there were a lot of things going through my mind then and winning wasnt one of them.
But I am proud of the way I hung in there and managed to build some momentum, and played the next 69 holes in 19 under. Hopefully, I can carry that momentum into the last two FedEx events and the
Ryder Cup to help Team Europe with a few points.
As well as enjoying his star players timely return to form, European captain Darren Clarke would have appreciated the fact he put one over on Casey.
Casey ignored Clarkes pleas for him to rejoin the European Tour and bid for a fourth Ryder Cup appearance. His failure to hang onto the three shot lead he took into the final round, shooting a two over par 73, suggests he will not be too badly missed.
McIlroys win completed a hugely satisfactory weekend for Clarke, who also had plenty of good news from the European Masters, most of it delivered by wild card pick Lee Westwood.
Westwood turned the clock back twice in quick succession in Switzerland, as he found the inspiration to shoot his lowest round for four years.
His first trip down memory lane came when he donned old time clothing including plus fours to compete in an all-star Hickory Challenge shoot-out before the final round of the European Masters
Westy won that event, beating Danny Willett in a play-off to turn the tables on the man who pushed him into second place at the Masters.
This victory may have carried a lot less prestige, but it proved the springboard for Westwood, 43, to shoot a brilliant bogey-free 63 in the final round at Crans-Montana.
That was his lowest round since a stunning 61 on the third day of the 2012 HSBC Champions event, and his fourth placed finish was also his best effort since he finished runner-up in Augusta.
Westwood commented: I didnt feel like I had anything to prove because I felt Id done more than enough this year to deserve being picked for Hazeltine.
But it is still nice to show some solid form so close to the Ryder Cup, and it always gives your confidence a little lift when you go low and keep a bogey off your card.
Willett also shot his lowest score of the year with a 64 that included seven birdies and an eagle, and
Matthew Fitzpatrick matched that round to complete a comeback that was even more impressive than Westwoods.
Fitzpatricks 22nd birthday celebrations turned sour when he slumped to a five over par 75 in the opening round but he then conjured up 17 birdies and two eagles in the next 54 holes to finish on ten under for the week.