VIKTOR HOVLAND WINS TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP TO CLAIM FEDEXCUP TITLE

Viktor Hovland played the best golf of his life in the final two weeks of the PGA TOUR season, and it paid off with the biggest trophy of his career -- a FedEx Cup title along with the $18 million bonus.

Staked to a six-shot lead, Hovland didn't flinch under a relentless challenge from Xander Schauffele. The 25-year-old Norwegian stayed on the attack and closed with a 7-under 63 for a five-shot victory at East Lake.

"It's pretty surreal to be standing here right now," Hovland said after receiving the silver FedExCup trophy. "I played basically my best golf the last two weeks and it couldn't have happened at a better moment."

Hovland capped off his best season with three victories. Even more staggering is that he played his final tournaments -- the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields and the TOUR Championship at East Lake in 36-under par.

Schauffele made him work for that $18 million and got to within three shots with seven holes to play. Hovland ended the suspense with a 25-foot par putt on the 14th hole, and he put Schauffele away with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 16th. Schauffele and Hovland put on a superb show. Playing in the last group, on a day that was delayed nearly two hours by thunderstorms, they had the best scores of the day.

The 63 by Hovland was the lowest score for a TOUR Championship winner. 

"I thought 62 would have let me get close to him," Schauffele said. "He played unbelievably well. He made important putts and he's just played like a champ."