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"It's a heck of a way to play a qualifier, for four days," Matteson said. "When I started this week I really didn't think about the British Open. It's fun to play (Rockford) and then go to Mississippi."
Matteson, playing with three-time defending champion Steve Stricker, led from the first round until a double-bogey on the 15th hole dropped him to 18-under, a stroke behind Johnson, who played a bogey-free, with birdies on three of his last six holes keying his surge.
But Matteson made up for his miscue with an eagle on the par-5 17th, sinking a 60-footer that drew a roar Johnson heard on the 18th green.
"I didn't know who the roar was for," Johnson said.
So Johnson two-putted for par and waited for Matteson, who matched him to force the playoff.
Johnson climbed into second in the FedEx Cup standings, trailing only Tiger Woods, and is fifth in the Ryder Cup standings.
"If it happens, great," Johnson said. "In golf, arguably in sport, they're some of the most fun and gut-wrenching tournaments you can play in. I love that."
Stricker began the day with a chance for a fourth straight title, but played himself out of contention by driving into high grass on the 14th hole. He settled for bogey after a penalty drop, then bogeyed the next hole and finished four strokes back, tied for fifth with Luke Guthrie.
"It was fun trying to do it," Stricker said of a potential four-peat. "It was fun, but I think it's the putter. This week it was hot and cold."
Stricker was attempting to become the fifth player to win the same tournament four straight times. The others are Tom Morris Jr., Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Woods, who has done it twice.
Scott Piercy's closing 65 left him two strokes back in third, and John Senden posted a 67 for fourth place, three shots off the pace.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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