Graeme McDowell defeated fellow US Open champion Webb Simpson in a play-off to win the Heritage tournament on Sunday, his second career victory on the US PGA Tour.
Northern Ireland’s McDowell was four shots behind when the round started, but rallied with a closing 69 over wind-blown Harbour Town Golf Links.
The 2010 US Open champion had his only bogey of the day on the 72nd hole as he forced a playoff with American Simpson, the reigning US Open titleholder, who shot a 71.
McDowell struck his approach on the extra hole about 15 feet away and two-putted for par. Simpson could not answer, missing about a 10-footer for par.
England’s Luke Donald and American Kevin Streelman tied for third.
Marc Leishman built on his outstanding finish at last week’s Masters, where he finished tied fourth, with a share of ninth place at three-under par to be the best-placed Australian.
Jason Day, who finished third at the Masters, was a further three shots behind Leishman in equal 30th alongside countryman Matt Jones.
McDowell’s win ended a tough day in which only three players shot in the 60s.
Donald shot a 69 while Streelman had a 72. Jerry Kelly rounded out the top five after his even-par 71.
Charley Hoffman, the 54-hole leader, ballooned to a 77 and fell into a tie for sixth.
Both McDowell and Simpson had the chance to win on the 72nd hole. McDowell missed a 12-foot par putt after his approach went over the green. It was his only bogey on the round.
Simpson had a 22-footer for birdie a short time later on the 18th, but sent it thee feet past to lead to the tournament’s third playoff in four years.
McDowell patted Simpson on the back after the playoff miss and smiled widely as the boats in Calibogue Sound tooted their horns and whistles.
Neither McDowell nor Simpson made the cut a week ago at the Masters, yet bounced back in a big way in difficult conditions at Harbour Town.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the area, warning of winds of 20-to-30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph.
“Extremely difficult,” Donald said of conditions. “Strongest wind I’ve played in all year.”
Few managed the wind better than McDowell, who lurked behind most of the round until striking on the back nine.
Simpson’s chase appeared over when he made three bogeys in a six-hole stretch to fall two shots behind, but he steadied himself with a birdie on No.12 and parred his way to the finish to reach the playoff.