section_path: Professional career/2016: First FedEx Cup title
section_name: 2016: First FedEx Cup title
paragraph_text: 2016: First FedEx Cup title
  
  Chasing his first win of the year, McIlroy took a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in March, but faltered with a two-over-par 74 to finish two shots behind winner Adam Scott. At the 2016 Masters Tournament, McIlroy was in the final group in the third round alongside Jordan Spieth but shot a five-over 77 and ultimately finished tied-10th. Afterwards, he said he was affected at the Masters by the pressure of trying to complete the Grand Slam.
  
  In May, McIlroy claimed his first victory of the year at his home Irish Open, a tournament hosted by the Rory Foundation. He finished three strokes clear of Russell Knox and Bradley Dredge and subsequently donated the €666,000 winner's cheque to charity. McIlroy had qualified to represent Ireland in the golf tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics in August, but withdrew due to the threat of the Zika virus in Brazil and stated he would not watch the tournament. Following the tournament, McIlroy admitted he had been surprised at the event's success and said he had been wrong to dismiss the tournament. He later outlined his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.
  
  In September, McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts. He produced a final-round 65 to finish two shots clear of Paul Casey. Two weeks later, at the 2016 Tour Championship, McIlroy overcame a two-shot deficit after the third round to force a playoff with Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell, winning the competition with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole. The result earned McIlroy his first FedEx Cup title, along with the $10 million bonus prize. At the 2016 Ryder Cup in October, McIlroy played five matches and won three points, all when paired with Thomas Pieters. In the Sunday singles, he lost to Patrick Reed, 1 up, due to a birdie by Reed at the last hole, as the United States defeated Europe 17–11.
  
  Chasing his first win of the year, McIlroy took a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in March, but faltered with a two-over-par 74 to finish two shots behind winner Adam Scott. At the 2016 Masters Tournament, McIlroy was in the final group in the third round alongside Jordan Spieth but shot a five-over 77 and ultimately finished tied-10th. Afterwards, he said he was affected at the Masters by the pressure of trying to complete the Grand Slam.
  
  In May, McIlroy claimed his first victory of the year at his home Irish Open, a tournament hosted by the Rory Foundation. He finished three strokes clear of Russell Knox and Bradley Dredge and subsequently donated the €666,000 winner's cheque to charity. McIlroy had qualified to represent Ireland in the golf tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics in August, but withdrew due to the threat of the Zika virus in Brazil and stated he would not watch the tournament. Following the tournament, McIlroy admitted he had been surprised at the event's success and said he had been wrong to dismiss the tournament. He later outlined his intention to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games.
  
  In September, McIlroy won the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts. He produced a final-round 65 to finish two shots clear of Paul Casey. Two weeks later, at the 2016 Tour Championship, McIlroy overcame a two-shot deficit after the third round to force a playoff with Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell, winning the competition with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole. The result earned McIlroy his first FedEx Cup title, along with the $10 million bonus prize. At the 2016 Ryder Cup in October, McIlroy played five matches and won three points, all when paired with Thomas Pieters. In the Sunday singles, he lost to Patrick Reed, 1 up, due to a birdie by Reed at the last hole, as the United States defeated Europe 17–11.