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World number 387 Duncan displayed composure
that belied his low ranking, sinking a 12-foot putt to capture
his maiden victory in the final event of the year on the PGA
Tour.
In doing so, he ended the hot streak of overnight leader Brendon
Todd, who was seeking a rare third consecutive victory.
But Todd ran out of steam, shooting two-over-par 72 to finish
three shots off the pace in fourth place.
Duncan, in his third season on tour, came from four shots behind
in the final round. After bogeying the first hole he roared back
in style, playing as though with nothing to lose.
He birdied the last two holes in regulation to shoot 65 and tie
former U.S. Open champion Simpson (67) at 19-under-par 263 on
the Seaside course at Sea Island.
"I won on the PGA Tour. That's something I've always dreamed
of," said 30-year-old Duncan.
"I knew it was going to be a tough day. It was colder and the
wind picked up. I was just trying to do the best I could and
fight to the end.
"I hit one of the best four-irons I've ever hit on 17 and then
the 30-footer I made on 18 just to get into the playoff, I'm so
happy right now."
Colombian Sebastian Munoz (68) could have joined the playoff by
making a 25-foot birdie at the last, but missed and settled for
third place.
Todd, meanwhile, started the day with a two-shot lead, seemingly
on the verge of becoming the first player since Dustin Johnson
in 2017 to win three consecutive starts.
But a double-bogey at the fifth, where he had to take a penalty
stroke after yanking his approach shot into a hazard, took the
wind out of his sails.
Todd's streak of 12 straight rounds in the 60s ended with a
whimper.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by
Christian Radnedge)
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