McIlroy tottered while Koepka & # 039; game brings to a new level & # 039;

McIlroy led Koepka with a stroke that entered the final lap, but instead of an epic duel with the number 1, he staggered with a 71 when the American with a 65 passed the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational three to win against countryman American Webb Simpson.

The 30-year-old McIlroy, who had become clear after a blistering 62 Saturday, ended in a draw for the fourth, five adrifts.

McIlroy missed the cut at the Open in his native Northern Ireland last week after a disastrous opening 79, followed by a sparkling second round 65, imposed by the home vocal fans as he tried in vain to make the weekend.

The four-fold big winner has climbed back to World No. 3 in a solid season in which he has won the Players Championship and the Canadian Open, but he has also failed to break seven times 70 in his 13 PGA Tour final rounds this season.

For Koepka, 29, it was pa yback for his shared fourth at the Open in a stunning season in which he was also second at Tiger Woods at the Masters, won the PGA championship and became second at the US Open.

The powerful Floridian, who was four of his last 10 majors, pulled alongside McIlroy with a birdie on the third and then took control of birdies on the fifth and sixth when his play partner lost ground.

"It's incredible. To look at what I've done this year, just show consistency, try to take my game to a new level and I did," said Koepka, who held the season-long FedEx Cup. classification leads.

"Winning this title against Rory was pretty special."