Maiden win for Mahan at Connecticut

Hunter Mahan captured his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday by winning the Travelers Championship in Connecticut after a sudden-death play-off.

Mahan, who finished second at this event last year, sank a short birdie putt on the first play-off hole to beat Jay Williamson.

The victory gave Mahan, who finished the tournament at 15-under-par 265, the first prize of just over US$1m dollars.

Mahan entered the final round a shot behind Williamson, then took over the lead with three birdies on his first 10 holes.

But consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 put him a stroke behind Williamson, forcing Mahan to make a seven-foot birdie putt on 18 to force the play-off.

In the play-off, Mahan hit his approach within 12 inches and Williamson missed his birdie putt from seven feet, giving Mahan the win.

Williamson is a member of the Nationwide Tour who attended Trinity College in nearby Hartford.

He was playing here on a sponsor’s exemption.

Australian Nick O’Hern finished third, four strokes back after a final-round 66 that included four birdies over the front nine.

Vijay Singh of Fiji was fourth, five strokes off the pace.

Singh started the first round with a birdie on the first hole and a bogey on the second. He then settled down and finished the round with six birdies to post a five-under 65.

Fred Funk was six strokes back for fifth place. Bo Van Pelt, Tom Lehman and David Toms finished in a three-way tie for sixth.