Garcia wins TPC in a playoff

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sergio Garcia ended the longest victory drought of his career Sunday by making a clutch par putt to force a playoff and hitting the island green 17th on the first extra hole to defeat Paul Goydos in The Players Championship.

It was the first time The Players had gone to a playoff in 21 years, and the first time it started on the most notorious par 3 in golf.

Goydos, the first player to hit into the water when the tournament began Thursday, was the last to find the water at the worst time. His wedge came up short, and Garcia hit his shot on dry land and watched it roll to 4 feet.

He missed the birdie putt, but this time it didn’t matter.