MCILROY MAKES A FEDEXIT

RORY McILROY has finished his PGA Tour season without a single victory after missing out on the defence of his Tour Championship title next week.

The Ulsterman (above) needed a top-two finish at the BMW Championship to guarantee climbing from 51st into the top 30 in the FedEx Cup rankings.

But McIlroy closed with a 71 to finish tied-58th at Conway Farms in Ilinois.

The world No.6 will next play the Dunhill Links Championship – partnering his father Gerry in the pro-am – in Scotland next month.

He will then take six weeks off to recuperate from a nagging rib injury before returning to competitive action in the New Year.

Only two defending FedEx Cup champions have returned to the Tour Championship the following year.

Jordan Spieth shot a closing 65 last night to ensure he will be ranked No.1 at Atlanta next week. “I need the right attitude to win the tournament,” said The Open champion.

Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist became the first European woman since 2009 to win a Major title, beating Brittany Altomare in a play-off at the Evian Championship in France.