Sport Book Service | Tour Championship 2017: Xander Schauffele takes tournament and Justin Thomas claims FedEx Cup $10million prize as Paul Casey fades

PAUL Casey showed yet again that when it comes to celebrating on a Sunday, he simply does not have a prayer.

Casey, 40, has blown countless chances to add to his solitary PGA Tour victory in Houston eight years ago, and it was the same sad story at the Tour Championship.

Xander Schauffele bursts out laughing as he sinks the winning putt in AtlantaCredit: EPA

Xander Schauffele, 23, came from behind to claim the Tour Championship in AtlantaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

This was one of his most painful chokes so far.

The US-based Englishman surrendered the two shot lead he took into the final round after just six holes, and he eventually limped home in fifth place with 73, three shots behind shock winner Xander Schauffele.

Rookie Schauffele finished with a 68 to end up 12 under par and win by a shot fromUSPGA champion Justin Thomas, who fired a 66.

Thomas however had the bigger pay-day as he finished top of the FedEx Cup standings and claimed the $10million (8.5million) cup bonus.

Casey - who became a dad again this month - had opened the tournament with rounds of 66, 67 and 65 but faded to finish 10th in the FedEx Cup standings.

He was in danger of finishing as the only player in the 30-man field not to record a single birdie until he curled in a five footer at the par five closing hole, to complete a three over par 73.

Xander Schauffele raises his prize, called the Calamity Jane trophyCredit: Rex Features

Justin Thomas lifts the FedEx Cup trophy to cap remarkable seasonCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Xander Schauffele salutes the crowd at East Lake, AtlantaCredit: USA Today Sports

This was Caseys 16thtop five finish since that victory in Houston five more than any other player on the PGA Tour has had to endure without actually winning.

His capitulation should not have been a complete surprise.

Casey leads the PGA Tour in first round scoring but is a dismal 67thwhen it comes to the final round.

He averages around three shots more when the finish line is in sight.

The world No 16 would still be worth a spot on next years Ryder Cup team if European captain Thomas Bjorn can persuade him to end his self-imposed exile.

But Bjorn would do well to make the most of Casey over the first two days, and try to hide him in the Sunday singles.

Paul Casey blew a two-shot overnight lead to finish fifthCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Paul Casey plays from the trees after missing the fairway on the fifth holeCredit: EPA

Casey refused to talk about this latest flop, and how he plans to prevent it happening in the future. And when he holds baby daughter Astaria for the first time today, it is sure to help him deal with the pain.

But the longer he goes without a win, the more difficult it is going to be to close the deal.

Hardly anyone would have tipped Schauffele to take advantage of Caseys crash, even though he was one of the two men sharing second place going into the final round.

Justin Thomas reacts as he misses a birdie putt on the eighteenth greenCredit: EPA

Paul Casey had another nightmare round on a SundayCredit: EPA

Jon Rahm of Spain finished tied seventh after a closing 69Credit: EPA

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits after taking a drop on the eighth holeCredit: EPA

But the 23 year old rookie who was still playing on the Web.com Tour this time last year - shot an impressive 68 to deny Justin Thomas a sixth win of the season, and scoop the 1.1million first prize.

Thomas had the considerable consolation of leapfrogging Jordan Spieth to claim the 7.4million bonus for finishing top of the FedEx Cup standings. It has been an incredible year for the USPGA champion.