ATLANTA — Bill Haas had a sinking feeling when he heard the gallery groan, the first indication that his shot had tumbled down the slope and into the lake. When he saw the ball only half-submerged in water, Haas figured he still had the slightest chance.
To somehow save par.
Against all odds, to stay alive in his sudden-death playoff with Hunter Mahan at the Tour Championship, the richest playoff in golf history with the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus at stake.
“It was an all or nothing shot,” Haas said. “So if I don’t pull it off, I’m shaking Hunter’s hand.”
As it did through the final, frenzied hour Sunday, Haas’ instincts worked to near perfection. Haas splashed the ball out onto the green to 3 feet for par, then won the Tour Championship — and the FedEx Cup — on the third extra playoff hole.
In the five-year history of this FedEx Cup, no finish was more compelling.
A handful of players had a shot at the $10 million with an hour left in the tournament until it came down to two — Haas and Mahan, in a sudden-death playoff with such high stakes that the difference between winning and losing was nearly $10 million.
Haas wound up winning a combined $11.44 million, including $10 million for capturing the FedEx Cup. Mahan, who failed to save par from a bunker on the third extra hole, had to settle for $864,000 as the runnerup and $700,000 for finishing seventh in the FedEx Cup.
Haas won for the first time this year, and the payoff could be more than just a massive bank deposit.
Fred Couples makes his final captain’s pick on Tuesday for the Presidents Cup, and Haas put on quite a show.
“I did what I could do,” Haas said.
Even if Couples wasn’t watching, his assistant captain had a great view: Jay Haas, Bill’s dad, was in the gallery and raised his arms as his 29-year-old son delivered the riveting conclusion.
“I’m proud of him the way he came back,” Jay Haas said.
