Rory McIlroy’s disappointing week in the opening PGA Tour play-offs event continued as he finished joint second from last in the FedEx St Jude Championship after a closing four-over-par 74.

The world number three’s nine-over-par total left only Max Homa behind him as he and Jordan Spieth shared 68th spot 26 shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama.

McIlroy will tee up again in the BMW Championship in Colorado on Thursday with the concluding Tour Championship taking place at East Lake in Atlanta the following week.

The Northern Ireland golfer has won the PGA Tour’s play-offs on three occasions – 2016, 2019 and 2022 – and despite his struggles in Memphis is still guaranteed to be in the Tour Championship field.

He stands fifth in the FedEx Cup standings but while he is some 3,974 points adrift of leader Scottie Scheffler, the elevated status of the two remaining play-offs events means he remains in contention to land a fourth title.

However, he will need to turn around his form considerably from his efforts at the St Jude Championship.

McIlroy managed only one birdie on Sunday – which came at the opening hole – with his round including a triple-bogey six at the par-three 14th after he found water with his tee shot.

Ireland’s Seamus Power finished in a share of 10th spot – seven shots behind Matsuyama – with Shane Lowry a further nine adrift as he tied for 50th in the no-cut 70-strong field.