While Jason
Day’s FedEx Cup bid came to an untimely end halfway through the second round
Adam Scott fought bravely to the end before coming up just short in trying to
become the first Australian to take out the trophy and the $10 million bonus.

A recurring
back injury saw Day pull out before finishing the eighth hole on day two though
the World Number One released a statement shortly after saying the move was
mainly a precautionary one.

With Day’s
chance at making history gone it was left to former TOUR Championship winner
Scott to fly the Australian flag and, as he has done all season, he gave it his
all till the end.

Despite
several stumbles in round three, including making a double bogey and triple
bogey on consecutive holes, Scott produced a sizzling final round to climb the
rankings as the leaders struggled.

Saving his
best till last, Scott picked up three strokes in his final two holes on his way
to his best score of the week, a 5-under-65, which lifted him inside the top
10.

It was a
blemish free Sunday for Scott who knew leading into the round he would need to
do something special, and rely on others struggling, to have a chance.

While it
was a superb effort from the 2013 Masters champion a charging Rory McIlroy put
paid to his chances with some final round heroics of his own on his way to a
stunning come from behind victory.

While Scott
was never a realistic chance of winning the tournament after 54 holes there was
a slim hope at the start of the day he may be able to claim the FedEx Cup if
other results went his way.

Ultimately,
though, his T8 finish saw him slip three places down the list for a sixth place
end of season result and $800,000 in bonus money.

Scott was
twice a winner in 2016 and posted eight top 10’s in 10 starts without missing a
single cut for the year.

For Day the
disappointment will be palpable after a remarkable season to back up his first
major victory last year.

The
28-year-old has held the World Number One ranking since winning the WGC
Matchplay in March, the second of three important wins for the season.

Day also
won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship and finished
top 10 in all but The Open among the majors.

His second
place finish at the PGA was a highlight, his final hole heroics among the most
memorable moments of the season.

Both Scott
and Day entered the TOUR Championship inside the top five on the FedEx Cup
which meant a victory this week would also guarantee the trophy for the season
long points race.

While
neither managed to snare the big prize, both will rightfully look back on
season 2016 with a sense of pride and accomplishment.