Journeyman Brian Stuard clinched his first PGA Tour title with a gripping playoff victory over fellow American Jamie Lovemark and South Korean An Byeong-hun at the weather-plagued Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Monday.
The 33-year-old Stuard sealed the win on the second extra hole at the TPC Louisiana, the par-five 18th, after laying up in two, hitting a superb third shot to three feet and knocking in the birdie putt.
Lovemark parred the hole after overshooting the green with his second and failing to reach the putting surface with his third.
An was ousted from the playoff after recording a bogey on the first extra hole, also the 18th.
The trio had finished the 54 regulation holes at 15-under-201, An firing a seven-under 65, Stuard a 69 and Lovemark closing with a 68 after three-putting the final hole for a par.
New Zealand golfers Danny Lee and Tim Wilkinson were among the also-rans at the completion of the rain-reduced PGA Tour event in New Orleans.
Lee placed 58th on four-under while Wilkinson also closed with an even-par 72 and was a shot back in 64th at the Zurich Classic, which was reduced to 54 holes because of numerous stoppages.
World No.1 Jason Day finished two shots behind the leaders at 13-under-par.
Reuters
