Golf: Swede's $13.6m payday makes up for Ponzi loss

Henrik Stenson is the first European to win the FedEx Cup. Photo / AP

Just a few years after losing most of his fortune as the victim of fraud, Swede Henrik Stenson has collected US$11.4 million ($13.6 million) as the winner of the US PGA Tour Championship and the season-long FedEx Cup.

Stenson fired a final round two-under 68 to claim a three-shot victory at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, pocketing the US$1.44 million first place cheque and securing his place at the top of the season points list to also garner the US$10 million bonus.

He looked in complete control early and was five in front at the turn before 20-year-old rookie Jordan Spieth went on a rampage to place a little pressure on.

Spieth birdied seven holes in a 10-hole stretch to be briefly just one off the lead before a penultimate hole bogey and a par to finish left him with a 64, only enough to share second place with veteran Steve Stricker (65) at 10-under.

"To hang in the way I did I am really satisfied," Stenson, the first European to win the FedEx Cup, said. "To be honest I didn't feel that confident with my game, I had to battle it a little bit out there today but I am very pleased and proud in the way I kept it together and to win both these trophies feels unbelievable."

A day after illness ruined his chances, Adam Scott finished with a 69 to finish at three-under in a tie for 14th. It was enough to have him finish fourth on the season points list, bringing a US$1.5 million bonus. Fellow Australian Jason Day finished with a tidy 67 to join Scott on 14th.

Although he claimed the money wasn't his motivation Stenson has admitted losing a substantial sum in 2009 in the Stanford financial crisis that saw Allen Stanford go to prison because of a Ponzi scheme.

Stenson won the 2009 Players Championship before his game deserted him, dropping him from a top 10 player in the world to 230th. His resurrection began at the end of last year when he claimed the South African Open and now he's moved back to an equal career high fourth in the world rankings.

Tiger Woods finished 22nd equal, but wrapped up at least one award as player of the year. Woods has won the PGA of America's points-based award for player of the year on the strength of his five PGA Tour victories, the money title and the Vardon Trophy. He had 90 points - 10 points for each of his five wins, 20 points each for the money title and the Vardon Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average.

It was the 11th time that Woods won PGA player of the year, and ninth time he won the Vardon. He had not won either award since 2009, the year that ended with his personal life unravelling.

Still to be determined are PGA Tour awards for player of the year and rookie of the year.

Both are a vote of the players, the results to be announced on Saturday.

Woods would appear to be a heavy favourite to win the Jack Nicklaus Award as player of the year for the 11th time.

Although he did not win a major, his five wins were three more than anyone else on tour, and he won the money title. Woods has two World Golf Championships and The Players Championship among his five wins.

- AAP