Brandt Snedeker celebrates after holing a putt for birdie on the 15th hole during the final round of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club on September 23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

ATLANTA (AP) – Brandt Snedeker played the round of his life and claimed the biggest payoff in golf.

Snedeker, needing to win the Tour Championship on Sunday to beat out Rory McIlroy for the FedEx Cup, made three big birdies on the back nine at East Lake and pulled away to win both trophies. He hit his final tee shot into the grandstands behind the 18th green, but by then it didn’t matter.

Snedeker collected $1.44 million for winning the Tour Championship, his second title of the year. And he won $10 million for capturing the FedEx Cup, which comes with a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

He closed with a 2-under 68 to finish at 10 under, three strokes ahead of Justin Rose.

McIlroy and Tiger Woods, both of whom could have won the FedEx Cup with a victory Sunday, faded early and were never a factor.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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