Overcoming near disaster on the 18th hole of regulation play, Michael Clark more than made up for the scare on the same hole in a sudden-death play-off for his first US PGA Tour victory yesterday in Illinois. Clark sank an eight-foot birdie putt on the fourth play-off hole to defeat fellow-American Kirk Triplett and capture the rain-plagued Deere Classic.

A play-off was needed only after Clark squandered a two-stroke lead with a bogey on the final hole of regulation and left both men tied at 19-under 265. Clark (31) and Triplett both parred the par-four 18th on the first extra hole before extending the play-off to a third hole with birdies on the 158-yards 16th.

After reaching the green in two on the 557-yards 17th, Clark left his eagle attempt short before tapping in for birdie. Triplett managed to force a fourth hole by draining an 18-footer for birdie.

The two went back to 18, with Clark reaching the green in two while Triplett left his second shot just short of the green. Triplett chipped to five feet but Clark made his winning putt to claim the $468,000 first prize.