Jersey City, August 31: Heath Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the final hole on Sunday to claim a one-shot win at The Barclays, the first of the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff series.
Slocum’s effort denied a possible playoff that would have included world number one Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker – who is second on the FedEx Cup points list – as well as three-time major champions Ernie Els of South Africa and Padraig Harrington of Ireland.
Slocum shot a four-under 67 on Sunday for a nine-under total of 275.
Woods and Harrington also carded 67s, while Els posted a five-under 66 and Stricker shot 69. Those four shared second on eight-under 276.
With the win, Slocum skyrockets from 124th on the FedEx Cup points list to third behind Woods and Stricker.
Overnight co-leaders Paul Goydos and Steve Marino both struggled in the final round at Liberty National.
Goydos carded a 75 for a share of ninth place on 279, while Marino faltered with a 77 to finish tied for 15th.
—Agencies