Camilo Villegas wins in Japan

Camilo Villegas rolled in a 20-footer for birdie in the second playoff hole to beat unheralded Toyokazu Fujishima at the Coca-Cola Tokai Classic on Sunday - and take his first title as a professional.

The 25-year-old Colombian, known for his Spiderman-like crouch when lining up putts, captured his first victory in Japan when Fujishima missed a slightly shorter birdie putt at the decisive hole - the par 4 18th.

"It's awesome. It feels great to win," said Villegas, still winless on the US PGA Tour.

After both players set up birdie chances, Villegas calmly sank his birdie putt to put Fujishima in a must-make situation.

"I got very, very nervous from the start of the playoff and could not calm down," the 26-year-old Fujishima said. "I don't really remember how I played today."

Villegas won in his second appearance in this event and earned a winner's check of 24 million yen (US$ 207,000) out of the 120 million yen purse. The win also moves him up 10 places to 56th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

"It was unbelievable last year, and this year the same," Villegas said. He tied for third last year.

In regulation, Villegas shot a 71 and Fujishima a 72, leaving them tied at 2-under 282 at the par-71 Miyoshi Country Club in Aichi Prefecture.

Yusaku Miyazato had a 71 to finish second on 283.

Makoto Inoue (73) was fourth on 284, followed by Tetsuya Haraguchi (72) and four-time money title winner Shingo Katayama (75), two more strokes back.

Teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa shot a dismal 80 to fall into a tie for 44th at 14-under 298.

October 1, 2007