England´s Rai wins PGA Wyndham title as Greyserman collapses

WASHINGTON: Aaron Rai withstood a 36-hole marathon final Sunday to win the rain-hit Wyndham Championship, taking his first PGA title after American Max Greyserman squandered a four-stroke lead.

The 29-year-old Englishman sank a birdie putt on the last hole from just inside seven feet in the gloom of twilight to secure the victory at Greensboro, North Carolina. “Incredible. A dream come true,” Rai said. “I´m extremely grateful. I think it hasn´t sunk in just yet. An amazing achievement.”

Rai fired a bogey-free six-under par 64 after a third-round 68 earlier to finish 72 holes at Sedgefield Country Club on 18-under 262. That was good enough for a two-stroke victory over Greyserman, whose four-hole roller coaster run on the back nine in the fourth round ended with heartbreak.

“I had a four shot lead with five holes to go? If you´re doing that in a PGA Tour event, you´re doing something exceptionally well so that´s what I´m going to walk away with,” Greyserman said.

“Stuff happens. I´m just going to walk away with more confidence, look at the positive things and learn from the mistakes.” Japan´s Ryo Hisatsune and American J.J. Spaun shared third on 265 with US amateur Luke Clanton another stroke adrift.

A tropical storm dumped more than six inches of rain on the course to wipe out play on Thursday and set the stage for finishing the second round early Sunday then completing the last 36 holes at sunset. Rai, who trailed most of the day, sank a 13-foot birdie putt at the par-3 12th to climb within two of Greyserman, who responded by holing out for eagle from the fairway from 91 yards at the par-4 13th hole, leaping to a four-stroke lead at 21-under. But the drama was far from done as Greyserman squandered his entire advantage on the very next hole.