Haas secures dramatic win with 43-foot play-off putt

Bill Haas clinched his fourth PGA Tour title by beating fellow Americans Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in a gripping sudden-death play-off at the Northern Trust Open late on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old Haas sank a curling 43-foot birdie putt at the second extra hole, the driveable par-4 tenth, to seal victory in breezy afternoon sunshine at Riviera Country Club. “I never expected to make a 40-footer, and especially in that situation,” a beaming Haas told reporters after clinching the winner’s cheque for nearly $1.2 million.

“That was a little bit of luck involved, but I felt like I put a good roll on it. It was meant to be, I guess.”

Mickelson, seeking a second consecutive PGA Tour win, missed his birdie chance from the back right bunker while Bradley’s attempt, a 15-foot putt from the fringe, slipped past the right edge of the cup.

Bradley, winner of last year’s PGA Championship, had set up his birdie opportunity by splashing out of the front right greenside bunker, a shot he described as his best all week. “I couldn’t have hit a better shot,” said Bradley. “I had about a 15 per cent chance of keeping that on grass where I could putt it. It was one of the best shots I’ve ever hit. But Bill Haas, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit. It’s good to see a fellow belly putter make a putt like that. I’m happy for him.”

The trio had finished the 72 regulation holes on seven-under-par 277, Haas closing with a two-under 69 while Mickelson and Bradley each birdied the par-four last for matching 71s, Mickelson holing a 26-footer and Bradley following suit with a 13-footer.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia fired a best-of-the-week 64 that included two eagles to share fourth place at five-under with Americans Dustin Johnson (71) and Jimmy Walker (69), and Australian Jarrod Lyle (70).

English world No 1 Luke Donald, making his first appearance on the 2012 PGA Tour, closed with an eight-bogey 78 to share 56th place at seven over.

Mickelson’s narrow miss on a second successive Tour victory at least had the consolation of propelling him back into the world’s top 10.

Mickelson climbs from 11th to ninth, while Haas is up to a career-high 12th from 22nd and USPGA champion Bradley moves from 26th into the top 20 for the first time at 19th – just ahead of Tiger Woods.

Although neither Rory McIlroy nor Lee Westwood played last week, the Northern Irishman returns to No 2.

Latest world golf rankings: 1 Luke Donald 9.26pts, 2 Rory McIlroy 7.80, 3 Lee Westwood 7.80, 4 Martin Kaymer 5.96, 5 Steve Stricker 5.68, 6 Webb Simpson 5.17, 7 Jason Day 5.11, 8 Adam Scott 5.10, 9 Phil Mickelson 5.05, 10 Dustin Johnson 5.03.

Others: 20 Tiger Woods 3.77; 40 Martin Laird; 45 Paul Lawrie, 53 Darren Clarke, 87 Padraig Harrington, 100 Stephen Gallacher.