Tearful Stanley ends drought

POTOMAC, Maryland - Kyle Stanley wiped away tears while pondering five years of struggle and doubt that ended on Sunday with his playoff victory over fellow American Charles Howell to win the PGA National.

After both fired 4-under 66s at TPC Potomac to stand atop the leaderboard after 72 holes at 7-under 273, Stanley parred the first extra hole to capture his second PGA crown, the first coming 135 starts ago at the 2012 Phoenix Open.

"There was some doubt there for a little bit," Stanley said. "It's no fun. You question whether you are ever going to make it back."

"I wish I didn't cry so much," Stanley said. "It just feels so good to put the work in and see the rewards. I think that's where most of the emotion is coming from."

In the dramatic playoff on the par-4 18th, Stanley was in the rough off the tee but found the greenside rough, chipped to four feet and made the putt after Howell missed his par attempt.

"I'm thrilled," Stanley said. "It's very special to get a second win. I knew it was just a matter of time."

Howell, coming off a 10-week layoff with a fractured rib, has not won in 293 PGA starts since taking a playoff over Phil Mickelson at Riviera in 2007.

"I'm a bit shocked," Howell said. "I can't believe how well I played. I started hitting balls eight or nine days ago. I came in here quite rusty, so I'm glad to be back and hopefully I can stay healthy."

Ninth-ranked Rickie Fowler made a career-high nine birdies but also made two bogeys and a double bogey to settle for a share of third with Martin Laird at 275.

Howell had some consolation despite failing to end his decade-old drought, joining Stanley and Laird in qualifying for the British Open, which tees off on July 20 at Royal Birkdale.

It'll be Howell's first major start since the 2015 PGA Championship and Stanley's first major since the 2013 PGA.

"British Opens are a lot of fun," Stanley said. "You have to get creative and play a non-technical style of golf, which I think I play really well."

Stanley, who lost his only other PGA playoff in 2012 at Torrey Pines, prevailed after a back-nine shootout that had 12 players within three strokes.

Stanley opened with a bogey but began a run of three birdies in four holes at the fifth, sinking 10-foot putts at six and eight. He added a three-foot birdie putt on the par-5 10th and a tap-in birdie on 14.

Howell grabbed a share of the lead by sinking a 27-foot eagle chip on 14, the 299-yard hole that surrendered the most eagles of any par-4 hole on tour this year.

Nick Watney matched the course record of 64 set by Russ Cochran in 2010.

Agence France-Presse