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(AP) - Rory McIlroy beat the strongest leaderboard in golf this year Sunday in the BMW Championship and joined some elite company.

McIlroy emerged from a four-way tie for the lead with three straight birdies around the turn and closed with a 5-under 67 to win his second straight FedEx Cup playoff event.

McIlroy became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2009 to win in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour, and he joined Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win at least six tour events before turning 24.

Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood tried to chase him down on the back nine at Crooked Stick, only to make crucial mistakes when they couldn't afford any.

Tiger Woods was never seriously in the mix and finished three behind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)