Rory McIlroy-Billy Horschel Battle Sets Up 2014 FedEx Cup for Dramatic Finish

The ending to the PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs is setting up to be a blockbuster affair.

On Sunday afternoon at the Tour Championship, the hottest player in the FedEx Cup playoffs will go toe-to-toe with the best golfer in the world, as Billy Horschel and Rory McIlroy duel it out in the final group. 

On the line is a Tour Championship title, the FedEx Cup crown and a $10 million bonus. No pressure.

Since both were in the top five in the FedEx Cup standings entering this weekend, they are in control of their own destiny. A win at the Tour Championship on Sunday will ensure that they win all three of the above prizes regardless of what the rest of the field does.

For McIlory, it's a chance to put a cherry on top of the best season of his career. For Horschel, it's a chance to continue his fairytale September and more than double his career earnings—quite a tantalizing thought with a baby on the way. 

As you can imagine, the two took very different paths to get here.

McIlroy entered the FedEx Cup playoffs last month on top of the golfing world. He was ranked No. 1 and had won his previous three events, including the British Open and the PGA Championship.

John Locher/Associated Press

He hasn't been quite as sharp throughout the playoffs, though. He finished tied for 22nd at The Barclays, tied for fifth at the Deutsche Bank Championship and tied for eighth at the BMW Championship. Still, that was enough to leave him at fourth place in the FedEx Cup standings entering the Tour Championship.

He badly wants to win the FedEx Cup—a missing piece to his resume—but he's keeping perspective.

"I'm going into this weekend I feel with nothing to lose," McIlroy told reporters after his round on Friday. "I'm not putting too much pressure on myself because it's already been a great year. But I still want to win this thing."

Horschel's story is quite different. The 27-year-old only had one PGA Tour victory in his career before the FedEx Cup playoffs began. With a world ranking of No. 59 and no top-10 finishes in his last five events, Horschel was supposed to be a non-factor in golf's postseason. That point was driven home when he missed the cut at The Barclays.

But in the last three weeks, the American has caught fire. He finished second at the Deutsche Bank Championship, only missing a chance to force a playoff due to a shanked shot on the 18th hole. Far from discouraged, he went on to win the BMW Championship last week.

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Now, for the third week in a row, Horschel is in contention. His run is no longer a fluke—it's a statement.

Of course, Horschel's career resume can't even hold a candle to McIlroy's. While McIlroy has already won four major titles, Horschel's only top-20 finish at a major was a tie for fourth at the 2013 U.S. Open.

However, Bob Harig of ESPN.com wrote on Friday why Horschel shouldn't be counted out at the Tour Championship:

"

Don't bet against Horschel, who is a combined 35 under par in his past 10 rounds dating to the first round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, with all of the scores in the 60s.

A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, a FedEx Cup title likely means much more to Horschel than it does McIlroy. So might the $10 million bonus and the perks that go with it. For a player who was at Qualifying School just a few years ago, a five-year exemption means a lot.

"

On Saturday, Horschel shot a one-under 69, his 11th round in a row in the 60s. McIlroy, meanwhile, shot a three-under 67 that was highlighted by an eagle on the 15th. Both men are tied for the lead at nine under par entering Sunday.

They're not completely clear of the rest of the field, though. Jim Furyk is at seven-under, while Jason Day, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler are tied at six-under. If Horschel or McIlroy falters, plenty of stars can take advantage.

But as it looks now, the Tour Championship will come down to a David vs. Goliath duel in the final pairing, with the FedEx Cup on the line. After a PGA Tour season that had its fair share of lackluster finishes at marquee events, the grand finale should be a round to remember.