Johnson beats Driscoll in playoff to win in Texas

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Zach Johnson of the United States rolled in a 12-foot birdie-putt to win the first sudden-death playoff hole against compatriot James Driscoll, and successfully defend his Texas Open title in San Antonio on Sunday.

Johnson, tied with Driscoll on 265 after 72 holes at LaCantera Golf Club's Resort Course, set up the win with a six-iron approach from 166 yards into the wind on the 18th green.

Driscoll missed a birdie putt after landing his approach 25 feet from the cup to surrender the tournament and a $1 million purse to 2007 U.S. Masters champion Johnson.

"Down the stretch there, I hit quality shots the last three holes," Johnson told reporters. "Really good shots. And when you're in contention, all I want to do is trust your numbers and trust your clubs, and I did that."

Early starter Driscoll fired an eight-under-par 62 in the final round and waited about two hours to find himself in a playoff against Johnson, who shot 70.

Johnson had a chance to win in regulation but his birdie putt from about the same distance as the winner came up short.

"I really didn't show it on my scorecard, but my execution was really, really good, and for that, I'm proud of that," said Johnson, who fired a brilliant 10-under-par 60 in Saturday's weather-interrupted third round.

"James obviously played a ridiculous round of golf today. It's one thing to shoot eight-under on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, but to do it on Sunday is just stellar," Johnson added.

A stroke shy of joining the playoff were Americans Bill Haas and Paul Goydos, who led the field by one stroke through 70 holes before collapsing with a bogey-bogey finish.

Another shot adrift at 13-under were Briton Brian Davis, Australian Marc Leishman, Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden and three-time Texas Open winner Justin Leonard.

The 31-year-old Driscoll, who has battled his way onto the U.S. Tour and is still looking for his first win, had mixed feelings about the last-gasp loss, after only playing six other tournaments in 2009.

JOB SECURITY

"I played great today, but the first three days, I just played kind of solid, and it's nice to get four days like that under my belt," said Driscoll, who had six birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round on Sunday.

"Top 10 gets me in next week. That's huge for my job security and, hopefully, confidence.

"But when you get that close to a win and that close to going to Augusta and going to Hawaii for the first tournament of the year, it's a little disappointing, too."

Johnson's victories came seven months apart as last year's tournament was held in October. It was his second triumph for 2009 after winning the Sony Open in Hawaii.

(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)