Tiger Woods couldn't end his victory drought, but 51-year-old Davis Love has snapped his with a one-stroke win in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina that made him the third-oldest winner in US PGA golf Tour history.
All eyes were on Woods, where the 14-time major champion was in contention for a first US PGA Tour win since 2013.
Tiger Woods, Virginia, August, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The former world No.1, coming off a missed cut at the PGA Championship that marked his third-straight early exit from a major, needed the victory to make the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.
Woods's chances effectively ended with a triple-bogey seven at the par-four 11th hole.
That was followed by a bogey at the 12th, and even a storming finish that included four birdies in his last six holes wasn't enough.
Woods closed with an even-par 70 for 13-under 267, his tie for 10th his best finish of a disappointing 2015 campaign.
While Woods' US season is over, Love is headed to the playoffs after grabbing his first US PGA Tour victory since 2008.
"Incredible" was Love's verdict on the win, achieved with a six-under par final round of 64 that included eagles at both of Sedgefield's two par-fives.
American golfer Davis Love III Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Any victory is going to be really sweet when you're over 50," Love said.
At 51 years, four months and 10 days old, Love trails only Sam Snead and Art Wall as the oldest winners on the US tour.
Snead was 52 years old when he won the last of his eight Greensboro titles in 1965, while Wall was 51 years and seven months old when he won in Milwaukee in 1975.
His 17-under total of 263 gave him a one-shot win over Jason Gore, the overnight leader who carded a one-under 69.
"I've been working to try to get my game back," said Love, who had foot surgery in March and was out of action for two months. "You just wonder if the body is going to wear out."
Love's third Greensboro title - after wins in 1992 and 2006 at Forest Oaks Country Club - was finally secure once Gore missed his 50-foot birdie attempt at the final hole.
His 21st career victory saw him jump into the top 125 in the FedEx Cup rankings, earning his spot in the opening event of the series, next week's Barclays.
Love started the day four shots off the lead and finished his round with four birdies and two bogeys in addition to his two eagles.
The New Zealander danny Lee is 10th in the Fedex standings.
