Watch Rory McIlroy emerge from ludicrously dramatic play-off to bank $11.5m payday

When there's $11.5m resting on a single putt...

Ben Kiely

Watch Rory McIlroy emerge from ludicrously dramatic play-off to bank $11.5m payday

Rory McIlroy has done it again.

A sensational back nine, which included a mesmerising eagle on the 17th, saw McIlroy secure a final round of 64 and a place in the three-man play-off for the Tour Championship alongside Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell.

The prize up for grabs for McIlroy: $1.5m for the Championship plus a cool $10m for the FedEx Cup. If either Moore or Chappell win, they’d get the $1.5m, while the $10m would go to Dustin Johnson, who was watching on from the clubhouse.

After the first play-off hole, we were down to two – McIlroy and Moore.

Oh. My. Rory.

Six feet left for eagle. #QuickHits https://t.co/Py5f0rBTIg

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 25, 2016

At this point, Chappell had already been eliminated, meaning McIlroy and Moore were left slugging it out for the win. If McIlroy had made this putt he would have been $11.5m richer, but the nerves got the better of him.

It doesn't drop!

We are going to another playoff hole, folks. #QuickHits https://t.co/QyjcwE1kZf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 25, 2016

On the next play-off hole, McIlroy found himself behind the trees. His caddy JP FitzGerald may very well have suggested pitching it out to safety, but the Hollywood native decided to go for broke and absolutely wallop it.

That tactic paid off.

"He better be careful here."

Rory McIlroy didn't hear that 🙉 #QuickHits https://t.co/CNxNQ7fiUw

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 25, 2016

However, his next sat up a little short on the green leaving him with a 17-footer for the prize money again. It was the same result this time though as McIlroy missed, but saved par. Moore also scored par, so they headed to a third play-off hole.

Another par apiece on the 15th and the pair went to a fourth play-off hole. With the sun setting quickly, McIlroy had to get the job done fast.

Moore didn’t make it easy for McIlroy, saving a par from way out with an incredible putt.

Ryan Moore saves par on 16! Clutch.#QuickHits https://t.co/NCvVwxRlxR

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 25, 2016

However, cometh the hour, cometh the McIlroy. He was never going to miss this one. After sinking the putt, he let out a roar that was worth every cent of $11.5m.