Atlanta: Jim Furyk clinched his 15th PGA Tour title when his playoff with Britain's Brian Davis for the Heritage Classic ended in unfortunate circumstances at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Sunday.
The American world number six triumphed at the first extra hole after Davis was assessed a two-stroke penalty for making contact with a loose impediment in a greenside hazard when playing his third shot.
On his backswing, Englishman Davis clipped a dry reed with his club before splashing out to 30 feet and he immediately called over a rules official to clarify the situation.
Having been penalised, Davis went on to miss his long-range putt and conceded the title to Furyk, who was six feet from the cup after three shots at the par-four 18th.
Furyk coolly sank his par putt to complete his second victory on the US circuit in five weeks.
"To have the tournament come down that way is definitely not the way I want to win," the 39-year-old American told reporters. "It's obviously a tough loss for him, and I respect and admire what he did.
"I'm very happy to win but you almost don't know how to react," said Furyk, who ended a PGA Tour title drought of almost three years at last month's Tampa Bay Championship. "It was an awkward moment, an awkward way to win."
Davis, who had been seeking his first PGA Tour victory, had a bad feeling the minute he completed his third shot in the playoff.
"It was one of those things I thought I saw movement out of the corner of my eye," the 35-year-old Englishman said.
"I thought we'd check on TV, and indeed there was movement."
The pair finished the 72 regulation holes on 13-under-par 271, Davis rolling in a 17-foot birdie putt on the 18th green for a three-under-par 68 and Furyk closing with a 69.
American Bo van Pelt bogeyed the last for a 69 to share third place at 10 under with Britain's Luke Donald (70).
Scores
Final round (US unless stated): Jim Furyk won play-off at the first extra hole. 271 - Jim Furyk 67 68 67 69; Brian Davis (Britain) 68 69 66 68
274 - Bo Van Pelt 67 72 66 69; Luke Donald (Britain) 69 68 67 70
275 - Kris Blanks 70 68 69 68; Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 70 68 67 70; Ricky Barnes 69 69 66 71
276 - Stuart Appleby (Australia) 69 67 73 67; Rickie Fowler 68 72 69 67
Nick O'Hern (Australia) 69 72 64 71; Heath Slocum 70 67 67 72
277 - Boo Weekley 68 68 68 73; Briny Baird 71 67 66 73.