Imada wins AT&T Classic after play-off

Ryuji Imada has captured his first career PGA title by exorcising some personal demons at TPC Sugarloaf.

Imada defeated Kenny Perry in a one-hole playoff last night to win the US$5.5m (€3.5m) AT&T Classic.

It was the first victory in three-plus seasons on tour for Imada, who lost this event to Zach Johnson in a play-off last year.

After leading through 36 and 54 holes here last season, Imada struggled on the final day before entering the play-off, when he hooked his second shot into the water en route to a heartbreaking loss.

Ironically, Imada won in eerily similar fashion over Perry, whose second play-off shot found the water.

After cautiously laying his second shot within 131 feet of the pin, Imada needed a pair of putts to move within four feet of the hole. He sank his final putt to edge Perry, who needed to make a 14-footer to force a second play-off hole.

Imada, who entered the final round tied for sixth, fired a five-under-par 67 to pass five golfers, including Perry. The 31-year-old Japanese native holed six birdies against one bogey to finish at 15-under 273.

Colombian Camilo Villegas carded a 66 on Sunday to finish in sole possession of third at 14-under 274.

Jonathan Byrd (70) was fourth at 13-under while overnight leader Charles Howell III (74) slumped to an eighth-place tie at 11-under.