Ponte Vedra Beach, United States--Rickie Fowler captured The Players Championship by vanquishing Spain's Sergio Garcia and fellow American Kevin Kisner in a thrilling playoff that lasted through four holes on Sunday.
It was the first win in three years for Fowler, who survived the tournament's first three-hole aggregate playoff before toppling Kisner in a sudden-death hole at number 17 at the TPC Sawgrass course.
"I had to wait a long time for this," Fowler said. "I would say this is a pretty big one.
"I am happy about the week. This is one to look back on for sure."
Fowler, who was recently voted by his peers as one of the most overrated players on tour, played the final six holes of regulation in six-under par to close out a five-under 67. That run got him into the clubhouse at 12-under-par 276.
At 17, Kisner's tee shot stopped 12 feet past the hole. Fowler then stuffed his tee shot to about five feet.
Kisner missed his birdie putt on the left and Fowler rolled in his putt for birdie and his second career PGA Tour title.
Ben Martin and Bill Haas shot two-under 70s and shared fourth place at 11-under-par 277.
Rory Sabbatini (69) and Kevin Na (71) tied for sixth at nine-under, while world number one Rory McIlroy closed with a 70 to end in a share of eighth at eight-under-par 280.
Tiger Woods ended The Players with his worst four-round total, closing with an even-par 72 to finish three-over 291 for the week. He finished tied for 69th.
The 14-time major champion Woods was coming off a tied for 17th performance at The Masters which had him hoping he would be able to improve upon that at The Players.
Fowler's second birdie in the playoff at the island green 17th allowed him to clinch the title.
AFP
