Kyle Stanley secures emotional win in Maryland

American beats Charles Howell III in play-off to seal first PGA Tour title in five years

Kyle Stanley secured a first PGA Tour title in five years in the Quicken Loans National. Photograph: Patrick Smith/Getty
Kyle Stanley secured a first PGA Tour title in five years in the Quicken Loans National. Photograph: Patrick Smith/Getty

Kyle Stanley claimed his first PGA Tour title in five years after defeating Charles Howell III on the first hole of their play-off to triumph in the Quicken Loans National.

The American pair could not be separated after 72 holes, having both carded closing 66s to move onto seven under par overall at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.

But Stanley prevailed on the extra hole after holding his nerve to putt from five foot for par, having seen Howell miss his attempt from double the distance.

Meanwhile Ireland's Seamus Power finished tied for 38th place after a closing 73.

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An emotional Stanley, who has struggled since his maiden tour win at the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, hopes this victory can kickstart his career.

He told the PGA Tour’s official website: “It means a lot, I’ve had so much help from my coaches, my family, my wife. It’s hard to put into words right now.

“It’s confirmation that we’ve been working on the right things and if anything it’ll probably make me hungrier to get to work. I’m happy for a lot of people because I’ve had a lot of help. It means a lot to me and to my team. I have a lot to digest here.”

Stanley was four shots adrift of overnight leader David Lingmerth and slipped further back when he bogeyed the first after finding a greenside bunker, but it would prove to be the only blemish of a memorable day.

Birdies at the fifth, sixth and eighth ignited the 29-year-old’s charge up the leaderboard and he made a fourth gain in six holes just after the turn following a superb approach to within four feet.

He tapped in for another birdie at the 299-yard, par four 14th which was enough to take him to seven under, alongside playing partner Howell, who had moments earlier sunk a 27 foot putt for an eagle.

Howell missed a 21-foot putt on the last which would have given him an outright victory while both he and Stanley missed the fairway and green on the play-off hole, only for the latter to chip to five feet before sealing a second tour crown.

World number nine Rickie Fowler stormed up the leaderboard after nine birdies helped him post a closing 65, which was enough for a tie for third alongside Scotland's Martin Laird on five under overall.

Lingmerth had led for 54 holes at the Maryland venue but was made to rue a second successive 73 which featured three bogeys and a double bogey as he settled for a share of fifth alongside seven others.