Van Pelt beats Mallinger in sudden death at U.S. Bank tourney

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bo Van Pelt won for the first time on the PGA Tour with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden death playoff over John Mallinger on Sunday at the U.S. Bank Championship.

Van Pelt had two putts to win, leaving a 26-footer a little short before sinking a 2-foot birdie for his first victory in his 229th tour event.

On the second playoff hole, the 29-year-old Mallinger rolled his second shot in a greenside bunker. Mallinger got out, but left himself a 28-footer for birdie that he pushed right of the hole and settled for par.

That would be plenty for Van Pelt, who had a chance on the first hole to end it, but looked nervous and missed a 13-foot eagle putt. He settled for a tap-in birdie to put the pressure on Mallinger, who made a 5-footer setting up the final scramble.

Van Pelt gets a $720,000 check and the satisfaction that he’s finally won on tour after 10 years of finishing no better than second at the 2008 Puerto Rico Open.

The 34-year-old Van Pelt shot a 64 in the final round and did not have a bogey to move from 7 under to 13 under, finishing with a 4-foot putt for birdie on No. 18. Van Pelt made his move with three straight birdies on the back nine at Nos. 13-15, sinking a 22-footer at the par-5 15th to go to 12 under.

Then he had to wait and watch the scoreboard. Van Pelt went to the driving range with his caddie alone and as each group came in, a few more onlookers joined him.

Mallinger, who was also looking for his first tour title, shot a 65 on Sunday and used an eagle on the par-5 15th to vault among the leaders.

He went to 13 under after a birdie on No. 16, but gave it back on the next hole when his sand shot went across the green and back into the rough.

But Mallinger quickly regrouped, sinking a 2-foot putt for birdie on No. 18 to send this tournament to a playoff for the first time since 2001 as both players had to wait for the forgotten final group to finish.