Jim Furyk ended a non-winning streak of almost five years by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to turn back Kevin Kisner and win the RBC Heritage for the second time at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Furyk, whose last victory came in the 2010 Tour Championship to wrap up the FedEx Cup title, closed with an 8-under-par 63 that included a 48-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole, and seemed to lock up another victory in the tournament he won in 2010.
Kisner, a South Carolina native seeking his first PGA Tour victory after winning twice on the Web.com Tour, had other ideas as he made birdies on three of the last five holes and closed with a 64 that included a seven-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to force the playoff.
Both players birdied the first extra hole before Kisner missed his birdie try from 22 feet on the second extra hole and Furyk holed his winner, then dropped his putter for a two-fisted celebration.
“There was 4 1/2 years of frustration in that celebration,” said Furyk, who finished second seven times, including four last year, and was 0-for-9 when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead since last winning.
“I put myself in position to win a lot of times and some (when I didn’t) were my fault. I didn’t hit the ball well for the first five holes (in the final round), but I just had a feeling that today was the day.
“I knew if I could get through 14 and make a couple birdies down the stretch I could win the tournament. But I played with Kevin yesterday and he hit a good shot every time he needed one. I had a feeling he was going to make that putt on 18.
” … This is my favorite tournament other than a major, so if I could pick a place to finally win again, it would be Harbour Town.”
Troy Merritt, who took a three-stroke lead into the final round seeking his first PGA Tour victory, closed with a 69 and finished two strokes out of the playoff in solo third after a costly double bogey 6 on the 12th hole that he could not make up for by holing his second shot from 115 yards for an eagle four holes later.
Brendon Todd, who claimed his only PGA Tour victory in the 2014 Byron Nelson Championship, was three shots back in third after a 67, and defending champion Matt Kuchar was one more stroke behind in fourth after two late bogeys in a 67.
Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who opened with a 74 before bouncing back with a 62, closed with a 70 and wound up in a tie for 11th.
