Both Tiger Woods and Mcllroy were strong contenders for the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup at the East Lake Golf Club but lost to Brandt Snedeker who looked in supreme form.

In his four previous appearances at the course, Woods had won the championship once and was runner up three times. He had gone under par in 13 of 16 rounds, with one gem of 63 and two of 64.

East Lake was a new place for Rory McIlroy. He topped the PGA Tour in wins and earnings and had formed a chain link of 11 straight rounds in the 60s.

Both Woods and Mcllroy were tournament co-favorites. In Sunday's game, Woods tied for eighth by recording a two-over-par 72 while McIlroy's 74 sent him down to a tie for 10th.

"Considering where I was last year, it's nice to be where I'm at now, I was obviously struggling with my health last year, and this year I was able to turn it around," Woods said of his year on the tour."

"I hit it great the first day, but after that it wasn't very good, especially on the weekend. I fought very hard just to shoot what I shot. I wasn't sharp."

McIlroy was understandably disappointed with his final round efforts. "I'm a little disappointed, to be honest," the world number one said. "You've got to hit fairways when the rough is as tough and the greens are as firm as this.

"I've had a great few weeks, but it would have been nice to have given myself a bit more of a chance."