Zach’s title in spite of bizarre final green gaffe

FORT WORTH, Texas: Zach Johnson fired a two-over 72 that included a two-shot penalty at the final hole on Sunday to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, denying Jason Dufner a third US PGA victory this season.

On a day of dramatic swings in the duel between Johnson and Dufner, Johnson appeared to be home and dry after Dufner’s triple-bogey seven at the par-four 15th.

That gave Johnson a four-shot lead, and even after a bogey at 16, the 2007 Masters champion arrived at 18 with a three-stroke lead.

He had celebrated what he thought was a par for a three-shot win but then realised he had moved his ball marker on the 18th green and failed to replace it properly.

With the two-shot penalty, Johnson signed for a 72 and a 12-under total of 268 – giving him only a one-shot victory over Dufner.

“There’s a number of adjectives I’m calling myself right now. And lucky would be the biggest one,” said Johnson, who won for the first time since claiming the same title two years ago.

“Blessed would be another one, humbled would be another one. It’s an honour to put this jacket on once. ... I’m in shock I got it twice.”

Dufner, who won his first US tour title in his 163rd try on April 29 in New Orleans and won again at the Byron Nelson Classic last week, started the day with a one-shot lead over Johnson.

But he faded down the stretch, finishing with a four-over 74 that included a double-bogey and two bogeys.

Johnson called Dufner’s performance in recent weeks “beyond impressive. I kind of feel like I somewhat unseated a king to me because he has been on top for four weeks,” Johnson said.

Dufner’s challenge was undone for good at 15, where his approach shot rolled off the green and into the water. His chip from a drop in the rough rolled off the green, and his four-foot putt for a double-bogey burned the edge of the cup.

The South African trio of Louis Oosthuizen (73), Tim Clark (69) and Trevor Immelman (69) all squeezed into the top 20 by sharing in a tie for 19th on 279.

l In Benton Harbor, Michigan, England’s Roger Chapman won the Senior PGA Championship, holding on for a two-stroke victory after leading comfortably throughout the final round.

Chapman led by five after 54 holes and was never really threatened. His closing one-over 72 was his worst score of the tournament - but enough to give him his first Champions Tour title. He finished at 13-under 271, after bogeying three of the last five holes.

John Cook was second on 273 and fellow American Hale Irwin – still playing well at age 66 – third on 274.

South Africa’s David Frost finished in a tie for fourth on 275 alongside Peter Senior (Australia), Joe Daley (US) and greats of the game Bernhard Langer of Germany and Scot Sandy Lyle.

Frost’s fellow South African Chris Williams tied for 25th on 282. – Sapa-AFP/AP