USPGA Championship: story of round four

Golf's final Major of the season came to a dramatic finish after a three-hole play-off between Americans Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley

American rookie Keegan Bradley has become the 2011 USPGA champion after beating compatriot Jason Dufner in a play-off at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Dufner seemed to be cruising to victory after going into the final four holes with a five-shot lead.

Standing on the 15th tee he watched as Bradley fired his chip through the green from the left-hand side before finishing with a triple bogey.

Dufner, who had played the final four holes in three-under-par for the week, then found the water at the monstrous 259-yard par 3 and would go on to make bogey.

Bradley, meanwhile, produced a stunning comeback making birdies at the 16th and 17th, holing a spectacular 40-foot curling putt from across the green.

Dufner was again watching from the tee. After making bogey at 16, he made another at 17 meaning the pair were tied on eight-under-par.

Bradley was first into the clubhouse after making par at the 18th. Dufner followed him in with a par of his own to force a three-hole play-off.

At the first play-off hole both players produced stunning iron shots. Dufner fired in a 5-iron to six feet. Bradley went closer and stiffed it to four feet.

Dufner then missed his short birdie putt while Bradley, having already birdied the hole in regulation play, made no mistake to give himself a one-shot lead.

At the par-3 17th Bradley made a solid par. Dufner found his putter wanting again and three-putted for bogey.

So, Bradley went into the final play-off hole with a two-shot lead. Dufner made a remarkable birdie meaning Bradley would have to hold his nerve and two-putt for the win.

He kept his cool to record a memorable win for his first Major title in his first Major championship.

The European challenge came from Anders Hansen who was unfortunate to miss out on the play-off by one shot after making only one bogey at the 16th in a final-round 66.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson will also feel unfortunate after finishing his round with three straight bogeys to finish at six-under-par.

Meanwhile, England's Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are still searching for that elusive first Major trophy.

The pair finished tied for eighth place after both shooting 68 in their final rounds but it would prove to be too little too late.

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