Fowler pips McIlroy in play-off

RICKIE Fowler claimed his maiden PGA Tour title last night as he won the Wells Fargo Championship in a play-off against DA Points and Rory McIlroy, who went back to the top of the rankings.

The trio finished on 14 under 272 for the tournament, one stroke ahead of local boy Webb Simpson, and went into a one-hole play-off at the 18th.

And it was Fowler who came out on top, his birdies bettering the pars of Points and McIlroy, who nevertheless did enough to go back ahead of Luke Donald in the world list.

Fowler had closed with a 69, one better than McIlroy, who had moved into contention with a sizzling 66 on Saturday.

Lee Westwood shot a 66 yesterday but it was not enough as he closed three off the leaders.

North Carolina native Webb Simpson, who had gone into the final day with a one-stroke lead, finished with his worst round of the weekend, a disappointing 73, and ended up a shot off the play-off trio.

Scotland’s Martin Laird closed with a 71 to finish ten shots off the leading group on the same 282 mark as Phil Mickelson.