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Kirk's bogey-free 66 held off McIlroy and the rest of the chasing pack in Boston. AP/Press Association Images
FedEx Cup

Rory struggles with 'mental fatigue' as Kirk cashes in at Deutsche Bank

Chris Kirk put himself front and centre as US captain Tom Watson prepares to make his Ryder Cup picks.

RORY MCILROY HAD to settle for a share of fifth place after he failed to fire on the final day of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

The world number one could only manage a closing round of one-under 70 and finished four shots behind the winner, his playing partner Chris Kirk.

McIlroy said: “I think today was just a combination of trying too hard, and then I feel like whenever I have played a lot of golf, my attitude can get — I was very sort of reactive about bad shots and bad breaks today, which I haven’t been the last two weeks.

“So I think that’s a little bit of mental fatigue kicking in there. It obviously wasn’t a day that I wanted today.”

With a bogey-free 66, Kirk posted the biggest win of his career and moved into the top spot in the FedEx Cup playoff standings.

But he wasn’t sure if it would be enough to convince US captain Tom Watson to add him to the Ryder Cup team.

“I certainly don’t feel entitled, or feel like I’m a shoe-in to get a pick,” Kirk said.

“I’ve obviously really put myself into consideration, and it’s something that I would love to do.

“The nine guys that made it are automatic. Those are the guys on the team. The other three? If you get in, it’s a bonus.”

Billy Horschel finished in a three-way tie for second on 13-under alongside Geoff Ogilvy and third-round leader Russell Henley.

– Additional reporting by AFP

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