Jason Day let his overnight lead slip as American Charley Hoffman won the Deutsche-Bank Championship in Boston on Monday.
The Queensland-born golfer was in the best position at the end of day three but could only card an even-par round of 71 on the last day to tie for second with compatriot Geoff Ogilvy and Brit Luke Donald.
Day hit three birdies but matched them with three bogeys to let a great opportunity slip, but he remains fourth in the FedExCup rankings after another impressive showing.
Tiger Woods' final-day score of 68 saw him tie for 11th and it was enough for the world No.1 to keep his ranking after Phil Mickelson blew another chance to replace Woods at the top of the standings, making two double bogeys on the last nine to shoot 76.
Hoffman's sizzling last round saw him produce a special nine-under -round of 62 as he came from four shots behind at the start of the day to coast to a five-shot victory.
He shot 11 birdies on the final day - six on the back nine - in a simply stunning performance.
When asked about Ryder Cup selection (US captain Corey Pavin will name his selections on Tuesday), Hoffman was hopeful of his chances.
"No question I think I can contribute to that team. If I can shoot 62 here in the playoffs, I'm pretty sure I can handle the Ryder Cup."
Whether he makes the Ryder Cup team or not, Hoffman's win assures him of a place in the end of FedExCup end of season play-offs.
He moved to second on the FedExCup rankings, only trailing the winner at The Barclays last week - Matt Kuchar, who also tied for 11th.
Ogilvy produced a handy last round of five-under-par to score 66 but will rue his poor second round.
He struggled for form on the second day to post a round of one-over-par 72 but on the other three days fired at least a round of five under.
The Adelaide-born man was far less erratic than previous rounds with no bogeys to bring down his score and praised Hoffman for his final day heroics.
"I had the best seat in the house to watch that," Ogilvy said.
"He hit great shots all day. He putted really well and as soon as he got himself in trouble he'd go and hole a bunker shot or something like that. So it was a pretty class act and he never looked like doing anything but winning after about three holes."
Donald, looking for his first win in America for four years, only managed 69 to end the tournament at 17-under.
Adam Scott finished a further shot back as he tied for fifth with American pair Tom Gillis and Brandt Snedeker with 16-over-par for the course of the tournament.