Hensby beats Morgan in playoff

Australia's Mark Hensby won his first PGA Tour event on Sunday when a par on the second playoff hole was good enough to defeat Britain's John Morgan in the John Deere Classic.

After 72 holes, Hensby and Morgan finished on 16-under-par 268 and the 33-year-old Australian earned $684,000 for the victory.

The 26-year-old Morgan will also be pleased with his performance following a tough year on tour in which he failed to keep his full playing privileges and managed to make only one cut in five tournaments prior to this event.

Argentina's Jose Cocerces will not be so happy, after he began the final round with a two-stroke lead, but could manage only an even-par 71 to finish one stroke out of the playoff on 269.

Defending champion and world number three Vijay Singh tied for fourth on 270 with Joel Kribel, Steve Stricker and Australia's Greg Chalmers.

Stewart Cink, Jeff Sluman and John Rollins shared eighth place a further stroke back.

Hensby began the fourth round four strokes behind Coceres, but made a strong showing on the front nine of the TPC at Deere Run, posting a five-under 31 going out.

After a birdie on the 11th hole, he could do no better than par over the closing seven holes to finish with a 66.

By contrast, Morgan made little progress on the front nine, posting just one birdie and eight pars, before closing with birdies on four of the last five holes for a 65.

On the first playoff hole, the 18th, Hensby found the middle of the green, while Morgan left his approach 80 feet from the pin on the far right side of the green.

Morgan's first putt rolled 10 feet past the hole.

After Hensby easily two-putted for par, Morgan boldly ran his second into the heart of the cup to continue the playoff.

On the second playoff hole, the par-three 16th, Hensby again safely found the centre of the green, but Morgan hit into the hazard left of the putting surface.

With an unsteady stance on a steep bank, Morgan bladed his second into the bunker across the green.

He quickly flipped a sand shot that ran just by the hole, leaving Hensby two putts for the victory.

The Australian putted to within a foot, then holed his second.

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