Golf-Woods victory caps largely successful FedExCup series

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The PGA Tour's much-trumpeted "new era" delivered enthralling golf in the inaugural FedExCup playoff series but a predictable script with Tiger Woods emerging as the overall champion.

Despite missing the opening leg of the lucrative four-event finale, Woods won the last two tournaments to secure the $10 million retirement bonus.

The world number one ended his 2007 PGA Tour campaign by romping to an eight-shot victory at the Tour Championship in Atlanta on Sunday.

Although various elements of the FedExCup have been criticised by the players, the general consensus has been positive as long as a few adjustments are made for the future.

"Overall, the FedExCup was a success," Woods told reporters after clinching his seventh title of the year.

"There need to be some tweaks but I think overall it provided a lot of drama towards the end of the season, especially post-PGA (Championship) when most of the guys shut it down."

The first three playoff events unfolded in spectacular fashion.

American Steve Stricker clinched the Barclays Classic with birdies on the last three holes before Phil Mickelson triumphed by two strokes at the Deutsche Bank Championship after a thrilling head-to-head with Woods.