PARAMUS, N.J. — Hunter Mahan knew he was on the verge of something special, even with a record that looked ordinary by his standards.

He had gone nearly 30 months and 48 tournaments worldwide without winning. He was No. 62 in the FedEx Cup, with no guarantee of lasting more than two tournaments. He finished 25th in the Ryder Cup standings and was not even part of the conversation as a potential wild-card pick.

He felt great about how he was playing. The hard part was to stay calm with his emotions, his swing and his game and to "just let everything happen."

"And it did," he said. "And obviously I made some huge putts coming down the stretch."

In a traffic jam of contenders Sunday at The Barclays, Mahan pulled away with five birdies in a seven-hole stretch on the back nine at Ridgewood, including three in a row late in the final round that sealed the win. With a bogey he could afford — though he could have done without the drama until he made an 8-foot bogey putt — Mahan closed with a 6-under 65 for a 14-under-270 total and a two-shot victory in the opening playoff event for the FedEx Cup.

He won by two shots over Jason Day, who couldn't manage anything but pars over the last four holes and shot 68; Stuart Appleby, who had to scramble for par on the last two holes for a 65; and Cameron Tringale, who made bogey from the trees on the final hole for a 66.

It was the sixth career win for Mahan, which includes a pair of World Golf Championships, though this might have surpassed considering what was at stake. It had been since the Shell Houston Open in the spring of 2012 since he had won. It assures that he will play all four playoff events for the eighth straight year, and it guarantees him a clear shot at the $10 million bonus when the FedEx Cup ends at East Lake with the Tour Championship.

And it was sure to get the attention of Tom Watson, the U.S. captain who makes his three Ryder Cup picks in eight days. Watson has said he was looking for heart, and Mahan showed plenty of that on a day in which six players had at least a share of the lead.

"A win helps a lot," Mahan said. "I have no idea what he's thinking or if he has any sort of strategy. But I think a win is a good step in the right direction."