Closing birdie binge lifts Simpson to PGA Heritage title

Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, birdied five of the last seven holes in a Sunday shootout to capture the RBC Heritage for his seventh career US PGA crown.

The 34-year-old American fired a bogey-free seven-under par 64 to finish 72 holes on a tournament record 22-under 262 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

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It was the second triumph of the year for Simpson, who won at Phoenix in February, and it came after a storm delay of two hours and 47 minutes left players racing to finish before darkness.

"It was a crazy day," Simpson said. "I'm speechless right now."

Webb Simpson plays his shot from the 18th tee during the final round in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. AFP

Simpson, set to jump from ninth to fifth in the world rankings, made four birdie putts from beyond 10 feet and two-putted from 41 feet at the par-5 15th in an epic closing run.

"It was a long day on the Golf course," Simpson said. "I didn't get it going until 12 and then it got going and I felt confident.

"I'm amazed I'm standing here right now."

Mexico's Abraham Ancer, seeking his first US PGA crown, was second on 263 after a 65, coming up short on a 37-foot birdie putt at 18 to force a playoff.

"I probably had my best ball-striking week of my career," Ancer said. "It was awesome."

American Daniel Berger, who won last week at Colonial, shared third with Britain's Tyrrell Hatton on 264, with Spain's Sergio Garcia and Chile's Joaquin Niemann fifth on 265 and US four-time major winner Brooks Koepka seventh on 266.

Agence France-Presse