Billy Horschel secures victory at AT&T Byron Nelson in play-off

Billy Horschel secured his fourth PGA Tour title at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas, outlasting Jason Day on the first play-off hole. 

Horschel’s birdie on the 16th helped him to a one-under-par 69, setting up the play-off with the 29 Australian as both men parred the final two holes to end up on 12-under-par. 

It was Day who made the crucial mistake, missing a four-foot par-putt on the first play-off hole and handing former FedEx Cup Champion Horschel his first victory on the tour since 2014. 

“When I hit it I knew it was on a perfect line and I thought I got it to the hole. … I just wanted to finish it off there,” Horschel said in remarks reported by The Associated Press.

“I didn’t expect him [Day] to miss it. I was expecting to go back to the tee and play the hole again.”

This was the tournament’s final time at the TPC Four Seasons in Irving, Texas, where Horschel had missed the cut in his two previous appearances. 

“It’s sad that it’s leaving because I was never a fan of this course, but came here and now I am,” Horschel said. “I won, and I don’t want to leave.”

Horschel began the day one shot behind overnight leader James Hahn, who narrowly missed holing out his second shot on 18 to join Horschel and Day in the play-off, settling for third.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia, who won the Masters last month, wasn’t able to mount a final-day challenge, carding a disapopinting 74 to end up well out of contention.

Meanwhile, World No 1 Dustin Johnson closed with a final-round 69 to finish in a share of 13th, which is his worst finish in seven events.