McDowell in top ten after play-off win

Graeme McDowell’s victory in the RBC Heritage has lifted the Northern Irishman back into the top ten of golf’s world rankings.

McDowell, who defeated US Open champion Webb Simpson in a play-off at Hilton Head late on Sunday, moves from 18th to eighth, while Luke Donald’s share of third place was enough to see him climb from sixth to fifth.

McDowell held his nerve in fierce winds to clinch his second PGA Tour title in South Carolina on Sunday. He sealed the win with a regulation two-putt par at the first extra hole, the 18th, where Simpson three-putted for bogey after missing the green to the right with his approach.

Using a putter for his third shot from 33 feet, Simpson narrowly missed the left edge of the cup with his birdie attempt, his ball ending up six feet beyond the hole after being blown by a sudden gust. After former US Open champion McDowell left his birdie putt from 13 feet inches short and right before tapping in for a four, Simpson missed his par putt.

“I’m disappointed for Webb,” said a gracious McDowell. “He hit a great first putt on this play-off hole and he got a terrible gust of wind. That’s kind of the way it was today. It was really tricky and gusty. I am just really happy to get my first official [regular] PGA Tour win across the line.”