Aussie Smith wins playoff to capture PGA Hawaii title

Australia's Cameron Smith, whose uncle lost his home in the brushfires devastating their homeland, parred the first playoff hole to beat Brendan Steele on Sunday and win the US PGA Sony Open in Hawaii.

In rainy and breezy conditions at Honolulu's Waialae Country Club, Smith sank an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-5 18th to force a playoff then two-putted from 10 feet to defeat a US rival who had led all day.

"You just have to hang in there," Smith said. "No one was playing good golf today it seemed like. I just hung in there and what do you know." Smith fired a two-under par 68 in the final round to match Steele, who shot 71 Sunday, on 11-under 269 for 72 holes.

It was the first solo US PGA victory for Smith, who shared the 2017 Zurich Classic pairs event title with Swede Jonas Blixt.

"That has been one I've wanted to tick off for a long time," Smith said. "I've been out here four or five years now. To say I've won an event by myself now is quite good."
- Steele falters late -
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