Austin Smotherman defeated Irishman Seamus Power on their third playoff hole Monday morning to win the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Southampton.
A playoff was needed after the fourth round was scrapped Sunday due to inclement weather and the PGA Tour shortened regulation to 54 holes. Smotherman and Power were tied at 16-under 197 through regulation.
After each golfer parred the par-3 16th hole at Port Royal Golf Course the first two times through, Smotherman prevailed after two-putting from 14 feet at No. 16. Power missed the green, chipped on to 16 feet and failed to save par from there.
Smotherman captured his second tournament in as many starts on the PGA Tour. The 32-year-old won his first PGA Tour title at the Bank of Utah Championship his last time out.
“We’re out here playing an incredible sport in a beautiful spot. Whatever things are going to be thrown at us, (caddie Zak Williamson) and I were going to be on top of our game,” Smotherman said. “(Sunday) I felt like we handled everything pretty well. The tour’s been great communicating what’s going to happen today for us. Once we got that news it was nice to know what’s going on. To come out on top is a cherry on top of that, so pretty awesome.”
Power, in turn, fell short in his bid for his third career PGA Tour title.
“Had a chance this morning, wasn’t able to do it, which is disappointing, but overall great week, can’t complain too much,” Power said. “Hit some good shots in the playoff, just didn’t quite judge the wind right, but that’s golf sometimes. I’ll move onwards.”
