Steady Funk claims Players title

US unless stated -9 F Funk -8 T Lehman, S Verplank, L Donald (GB) -7 J Durant -6 T Herron, S Elkington (Aus) Sawgrass final round photos

Fred Funk's final-round 70 gave him a one-shot victory in the weather-delayed Players Championship at Sawgrass.

The 48-year-old American became the event's oldest ever winner, finishing a stroke ahead of Tom Lehman, Scott Verplank and Britain's Luke Donald.

Battling gusty conditions, Funk bogeyed three of the last five holes - but got out of a bunker for a par on the 18th.

Donald had a 22-foot putt at the same hole to force a play-off, but he missed and the title was Funk's.

After a weekend wrecked by rain, the tournament went into a fifth day with 33 holes still to play, and the field still had to deal with 35mph gusts.

Bob Tway took a tournament-record 12 on the island green 17th as the players struggled to cope.

Lee Westwood, who eventually hit an even-par 72 to finish on two under, joined Phil Mickelson in running up a quadruple-bogey seven at the same hole.

I don't know too many people who have made birdie on the 18th in the final round here Luke Donald More Donald reaction

Donald, who had led after the third round, saw his challenge fade after dropping five shots on the outward nine.

He still had a chance of a tie on the 447-yard 18th, but saw his putt drift left.

The miss left Funk able to celebrate the seventh PGA Tour title of his career, and he said: "I didn't fathom this happening and I am just so excited.

"I can't believe I won this thing - I am overwhelmed. It was such a hard day and this is the strongest field we have.

"It was a tough day out here with the wind and the conditions but I was always in control of my swing.

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"I was thinking as I three-putted my way round the back nine, I never do anything easy. It's been a long, long week."

Donald was left to rue his miss, but accepted he had thrown away a strong position earlier in the round.

The 27-year-old from High Wycombe said: "I'm proud I gave myself a chance, but I don't know too many people who have made birdie on the 18th in the final round here."

While Funk, Donald and others can be well pleased with their efforts at the tough Ponte Vedra Beach course, golf's "big four" put in lacklustre efforts by their high standards.

World number one Vijay Singh was the best placed of the quartet in a tie for 12th, five shots behind Funk.

World number three Ernie Els was a shot further back on three under, good enough for a share of 17th.

But Mickelson, a tie for 40th, and Tiger Woods, 53rd, struggled on Monday and finished on two over and five over respectively.