Associated Press
HUMBLE, Texas ó Paul Casey won the Shell Houston Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory, beating J.B. Holmes with a bogey on the first playoff hole.
The 31-year-old Englishman has nine international victories, but had never won in the United States. The victory boosted Casey to No. 6 in the world rankings.
Holmes needed a win to earn a trip to next week’s Masters, but is the only player from last year’s Ryder Cup who failed to qualify.
Casey bogeyed the 18th hole in regulation to complete a 72 and tie Holmes at 11-under par. Holmes wrapped up a 69 almost three hours before .
The players met on the tee of the 488-yard 18th hole, the most difficult hole of the tournament with an average score of 4.336.
Holmes hooked his tee shot into the pond that lines the hole up to the elevated green. Casey drove into the fairway bunker on the right side and hit a safe layup to the front of the green.
Holmes reached the green with his fourth shot, then missed a long bogey putt. Casey two-putted.