Rickie Fowler Wins Three-Man Golf Playoff

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The latest survey was unanimous, not anonymous. Rickie Fowler can deliver the goods. Facing a five-shot deficit with six holes to play, Fowler produced the greatest finish in the 34-year history of the TPC Sawgrass. In a three-man playoff on three of the most visually intimidating holes in golf, he never backed down.

And when he faced that nervous shot over the water to an island for the third time Sunday, he was as good as ever. No, there was nothing overrated about this kid.

Criticized in an anonymous survey by some of his peers for not being able to win, Fowler answered with a captivating victory at The Players Championship. At a tournament that dresses up like a major, Fowler looked the part in beating the strongest field in golf with an array of shots that won't be forgotten.

As for that survey?

"I laughed at the poll," he said. "But yeah, if there was any question, I think this right here answers anything you need to know."

It was hard work. He took six shots on the par-3 17th hole, which is not unusual for a Sunday except that Fowler played it three times. And even with the record-setting finish at the Stadium Course -- birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie on the last four holes for a 5-under 67 -- Fowler still had to face Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner, who produced big shots of their own.

For the first time, The Players went to a three-hole aggregate playoff starting on the par-5 16th, where earlier Fowler hit a 3-wood into the breeze to 30 inches for an eagle that made this moment possible. They all made pars on the 16th.

Kisner rolled in a breaking 10-foot birdie putt on the island-green 17th to keep pace with Fowler, who hit his tee shot to 6 feet and converted the birdie. Garcia, who in regulation made a 45-foot birdie to give him new life, failed to repeat the putt from about the same range in the playoff. All three players made par on the final hole, which eliminated Garcia.

Fowler and Kisner, who closed with a 69 and lost for the second time in a month in a playoff, headed back to the 17th hole for the third time. The great shots kept coming. Kisner barely cleared the mound and the ball settled 12 feet away. Fowler answered by taking on the right side of the green and sticking it just inside 5 feet. Kisner finally missed.