Harris English beats Kramer Hickok in 8-hole playoff, wins Travelers

June 27 (UPI) -- Harris English edged Kramer Hickok in an eight-hole playoff to win the Travelers Championship on Sunday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.

Both players birdied the final hole in regulation to force the eight-hole sudden death, which was a record for the tournament. The long playoff eclipsed the previous record of seven, which occurred twice (1961-62) when the event was known as the Insurance City Open.

The eight-hole playoff is second only to the 11-hole sudden death in the 1949 Motor City Open, when Lloyd Mangrum and Cary Middlecoff were named co-winners by mutual agreement because of darkness. Four other tournaments have reached an eighth hole in a playoff.

"It's hard to stay mentally into it," English said after his victory. "... Hats off to him for a good fight. We were both joking that somebody's got to make a birdie sometime. I had that putt a few times, and I finally read it right."

Harris, who shot a 5-under 65 in the final round to end the tournament at 13-under par, had seven pars in the playoff before draining a 16-foot birdie putt for the win.

It was Harris' second win this year and his fourth career victory on the PGA Tour. The 31-year-old also finished third at the U.S. Open last week.

With the win, Harris earned $1,368,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points, moving him into second in the standings.

Hickok, who has never won on the PGA Tour, shot a 67 in the fourth round. The second-place finish was his best ever.

"I learned that I belong," Hickok said. "It was a huge learning experience for me."

Marc Leishman finished third at 12-under 268 for the tournament. Abraham Ancer was alone in fourth at 11-under par, while Brooks Koepka and four others tied for fifth at 10-under 270.

Bubba Watson, a three-time Travelers winner, was in contention on the final day but played the last five holes at 6-over par to drop out of the chase. He shot a 73 and ended at 7-under par.

Bryson DeChambeau also finished at 7-under 273 and tied for 19th.

Dustin Johnson, who could have reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the world rankings with a top-five finish, shot 71 on Sunday to tie for 25th at 6-under par.