Zach Johnson held off Jason Dufner - and survived a two-stroke penalty on the final hole - to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas.
American claims eighth PGA Tour title despite late drama
Zach Johnson held off Jason Dufner - and survived a two-stroke penalty on the final hole - to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas.
Johnson had appeared to clinch a three-shot victory after a level-par final round of 70, only to then be punished for failing to replace his ball in the right place before making his last putt on the 18th green.
Still, the double bogey wasn't enough to stop him claiming the title for a second time in the space of three years on 12 under par.
After being informed of his rule violation Johnson took full responsibility and said of the mistake which cost him a double bogey: "I'm sure I'll get grief about it back home."
Failed bid
Dufner had been bidding to become the first player to win the two North Texas tournaments in back-to-back weeks, having claimed the HP Byron Nelson Championship a week ago.
However, he struggled off the tee all day and shot a four-over 74. At least he does remain on top in the FedEx Cup standings while Johnson has moved up to third.
The pair swapped advantage throughout but were tied at the top of the leaderboard through 13 holes with the rest of the field well out of the race.
Johnson birdied the 14th to edge back ahead and then, decisively, Dufner carded a triple-bogey at the next, sending his approach into the water and then firing his drop beyond the green.
"I just didn't have it today," said Dufner, who was married earlier this month. "It has been a pretty exciting month or so of golf and personal things. I'm not going to use that as an excuse. I just couldn't get the ball in the fairway."
Tommy Gainey finished a distant third, five shots behind Johnson after a 67, followed on six-under by a fourth American Jim Furyk (68).
The victory for Johnson, who had finished second in two of his last three PGA tournaments, was the eighth of his career.
