Scheffler ends title drought at St Jude as McIlroy struggles for form

Scottie Scheffler claimed a commanding victory at the St Jude Championship on Sunday, finishing at 17 under par at TPC Southwind. It marked the world number one's first win since the American Express Open in January.

Holding a two-shot overnight lead, Scheffler carded a four-under 66 in the final round to beat his playing partner and close friend Sam Burns by seven shots. Despite an early bogey after his ball struck a sprinkler head following a bunker shot and ended up in the water, only Justin Rose bettered his Sunday score, closing with a 64 to finish level par overall.

Scheffler said he had come close to winning several times this season and pointed to his consistency as the achievement he was most proud of.

A difficult week for McIlroy

It was a different story for Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who won his second Masters title earlier this year but had not competed since July's Open Championship. He finished the tournament at eight over par in 66th place, ahead of just two players in the first of three FedEx Cup play-off events.

McIlroy admitted he felt far from his best form and increasingly lost with his swing as the week progressed, ranking 62nd out of 68 players in strokes gained tee to green. He did find some rhythm with four birdies over a seven-hole stretch on the back nine, though bogeys at both ends of his final round summed up a frustrating week.

The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings now advance to next week's BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, with the leading 30 progressing to the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta, which carries a $40m prize fund.