Jim Furyk wins play-off to take the heritage

Kevin Kisner loses out on second play-off hole at Hilton Head

Jim Furyk reacts after beating Kevin Kisner in a play-off to win the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. Photograph: Getty Images.
Jim Furyk reacts after beating Kevin Kisner in a play-off to win the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. Photograph: Getty Images.

Jim Furyk defeated Kevin Kisner on the second play-off hole to win the RBC Heritage title at Hilton Head and record a first PGA Tour victory since 2010.

The former US Open champion (44) carded a superb final-round eight-under-par 63 which included six birdies on his first nine holes to move ahead of overnight leader Troy Merritt, whose three-shot lead evaporated with a 69 on Sunday, when play was started early because of fears over the weather.

Not enough

However, it was not enough to see off Kisner, who also tied at 18 under when he sank a birdie with his final putt.

After levelling the first additional hole with birdies on the 18th, it was Furyk who emerged victorious to claim the tartan jacket when he dropped in his second shot at the par-three 17th from 12ft after Kisner had come up short.

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The normally reserved Furyk pumped his fists in delight, saying “that was four and a half years of frustration in that celebration”.

Merrit, who had hit a course-record 61 on Friday, finished third on 16 under, one stroke ahead of Brendon Todd with defending champion Matt Kuchar one further back. US Masters champion Jordan Spieth ended tied for 11th at 10 under following a closing round of 70, which included a double bogey on the par-three 14th after his tee shot went into the water.

Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen was tied seventh after a 67 left the South African on 12 under.

A 70 from England’s Luke Donald saw him finish tied 15th at nine under having looked in contention after successive rounds of 66, while Graeme McDowell was two shots further back following a closing 72.

(USA unless stated, par 71)

266 – Jim Furyk 71 64 68 63 (Furyk won after 2nd play-off hole.), Kevin Kisner 68 67 67 64

268 – Troy Merritt 69 61 69 69

269 – Brendon Todd 73 66 63 67

270 – Matt Kuchar 68 66 68 68

271 – Sean O’Hair 70 67 70 64

272 – Branden Grace (Rsa) 70 67 66 69, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 69 67 69 67

273 – Bo Van Pelt 69 68 67 69, Morgan Hoffmann 68 68 69 68

274 – Justin Thomas 70 67 68 69, Brice Garnett 72 66 65 71, Jordan Spieth 74 62 68 70, Blake Adams 72 65 71 66

275 – Cameron null Smith (Aus) 68 73 67 67, Luke Donald (Eng) 73 66 66 70, Bryce Molder 74 64 70 67

276 – Brendon De Jonge 70 68 67 71, Jerry Kelly 71 66 70 69, Jason Kokrak 72 70 65 69, Lucas Glover 70 67 70 69, Matt Every 66 70 70 70, John Peterson 72 65 71 68, Ian Poulter (Eng) 69 70 67 70, Russell Knox (Sco) 75 64 67 70

277 – Pat Perez 69 71 67 70, John Merrick 69 65 71 72, Graeme McDowell (Nirl) 66 69 70 72, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 72 69 69 67, Brandt Snedeker 77 64 67 69.