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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lee takes playoff for first tour win

Danny Lee poses with the trophy after winning the Greenbrier Classic. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Danny Lee parred the second hole of a four-man playoff to win The Greenbrier Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory.

The South Korean-born New Zealander earned $1.2 million and became the ninth first-time winner on the tour this season.

Lee, David Hearn, Kevin Kisner and Robert Streb were tied at 13 under after four rounds on the Old White TPC course in West Virginia.

Streb shot a 5-under 65 in the final round by making five birdie putts on the back nine with a 56-degree wedge after breaking his putter on the ninth hole. The putter broke when Streb tossed it at his bag next to the green.

He was allowed a replacement putter for the playoff, but he never got to use it after missing the green at the par-3 No. 18. Lee and Hearn made birdie putts on the first playoff hole, also eliminating Kisner.

Hearn then drove behind a tree on the par-5 17th and made bogey. Lee reached the green in three shots and two-putted from across the green for par.

It marked the third playoff in the tournament’s six-year history. A week ago, Bubba Watson won the Travelers Championship in a playoff.

Tiger Woods started the day seven shots behind the leaders, shot a bogey-free 67 and said he made some “nice strides” heading into next week’s British Open.

Woods broke a streak of 55 consecutive rounds with at least one bogey.

It was his first time under par in a final round since the 2013 Tour Championship.

Lee, Hearn, James Hahn and Greg Owen earned spots at St. Andrews.

There also were four spots handed out a week ago at the Travelers and another is available this week at the John Deere Classic.