David Lingmerth of Sweden earned his first PGA Tour victory by sinking a five-foot putt for par on the third playoff hole to turn back Justin Rose of England in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
The 27-year-old Lingmerth, who missed the cut in four of his previous five tournaments, closed with a 3-under-par 69 that included two birdies on the first three holes and three more on the back nine.
“I can’t believe it right now,” said Lingmerth, whose only pro victory came in the 2011 Neediest Kids Championship on the Web.com Tour. “I’m so happy I don’t know where to go (after the playoff ended).
“I was pretty calm, but I wouldn’t say I was in total control out there. But it’s quite a thrill. I’m pretty happy with the way I battled through.”
Rose, who won the 2010 Memorial for the first of his seven PGA Tour victories, blew a three-stroke lead in the final round by closing with a 72. He made a clutch 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole and scrambled for a closing par, but chopped up the third extra hole and was looking at five-foot bogey putt when Lingmerth sank the winner.
Masters champion Jordan Spieth posted a 65 that included a 27-foot eagle chip on the 15th hole and wound up two shots back in a tie for third with Francesco Molinari of Italy, who had the lead on the back nine before hitting his tee ball into the water en route to a double bogey 5 on the 16th hole while shooting 71.
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan carded a 71 and was three strokes behind in a tie for fifth with Jim Furyk, who totaled 70, and Marc Leishman of Australia, who came in at 69.
Phil Mickelson followed a third-round 78 with a 75 and tied for 65th, while Tiger Woods, who had a career-worst 85 the day before, closed with a 74 to finish 71st and dead last among players who made the cut.
