Jeff Sluman, whose four tournament play-offs have all ended in defeat, made sure he avoided extra holes with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes that gave him a sizeable cushion an eventual victory in the $1.8 million Greater Milwaukee Open on Sunday. Stricker, who birdied the final four holes for the second straight day, completed a 68 of his own.

Sluman used a quick start to pull away from Chris Perry, who was tied with him overnight and then took the lead briefly. Sluman then held off the fast-closing Stricker to win for the first time this year.

He finished at 19-under 265, matching the tournament record, one ahead of Stricker, the local favourite. "It was a struggle today," Sluman said. "I hit some key shots when I needed to."