AVONDALE, La. - With a birdie on the second hole of sudden death, Jason Dufner defeated Ernie Els for his first PGA Tour win.
Els and Dufner finished tied at 19 under at TPC Louisiana after 72 holes.
The playoff begin with pars on the par-5 18th hole, which both players also parred in regulation. Dufner missed an 8-foot birdie putt, then Els could not sink his from a yard closer.
The second time around, Dufner reached the green again in two, leaving a similar lag as the first playoff hole. This time he left a second putt of a foot for the win. Els could not make from 15 feet to match.
Luke Donald finished at 17 under and in solo third to reclaim the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. He needed to finish solo seventh or better to do it.
Ryan Palmer finished alone in fourth, three behind Els and Dufner.
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Let the Good Times Roll
by Ryan Ballengee | Apr 29, 2012 9:27 PM ETJason Dufner, he of the wiggly waggle and stone-faced exterior, has reason to smile after getting his first PGA Tour win in New Orleans. Read More
Shake, Waggle and Roll
by Associated Press | Apr 29, 2012 6:56 PM ETJason Dufner – owner of an old school waggle – edged Ernie Els in a sudden-death playoff to capture his first-ever PGA Tour victory. Read More
Southern Hospitality
by Associated Press | Apr 28, 2012 6:37 PM ETJason Dufner got through Saturday without any of the problems that have marked his past weekend struggles. He knows Sunday will be a much bigger challenge. Read More
Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
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