Snedeker wins the inheritance, deny Donald top location

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Luke Donald lost this last chance at no. 1, but he is sure he will get another opportunity.Donald fell in a playoff three holes on The legacy of Brandt Snedeker ended with a surprising 7-under 64. The 33-year-old Donald could have jumped up from No. 3, eclipsing former top-ranked Martin Kaymer and fellow Englishman and Ryder Cup partner, Lee Westwood, no. 2. Instead, Westwood takes over top spot after winning the Indonesian Masters earlier Sunday. "To be no. 1 would have been great, but it is not everything, says Donald."It would indeed be a tick in the box and it would be something great to talk to grandchildren in 30 years time and say that you were the best in the world, but I still have a lot of chances to do. "Donald appeared on its way to the top after back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth holes pushed him to 13-under, above, and only on the front. But bogeys at the seventh and 10th holes dropped him back and he could not go back to the level of the rest of the round.It took stellar par saves the 71st and 72nd holes remain tied with Snedeker and force the playoff. They matched birdies and pars on the first two extra holes and secured the victory with a Snedeker two-putt par when Donald failed to save par a last time from a bunker at the closing Lighthouse hole, No 18. Snedeker, who played Donald at the college level, has deep respect for the Match Play Championship winner's ability. When it ended the Council of the Snedeker Donald to keep his chin. "I hear only him he will be no. 1. Is it not go in the right way for him, "said Snedeker. "He is such a player."Donald could not resolve when it counted Snedeker most at Harbour town Golf Links. Donald is playing the first 36 holes 10 under to take the lead. He completed 70-70, Snedeker opening.Snedeker survived against one of the world's best playoff hole for his substance three second career PGA Tour win and first since the 2007 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, in his first season. "It's a storybook ending really, played Luke in a playoff, to even have a chance to win was exciting for me, "he said.Donald lost after blasting out about 15 feet from the flag 18 and his chip for par from just outside the Greens fought back edge of the Cup and sent away.Tommy Gainey finished a stroke back in third after a 68. Donald was the steadiest player most of the week at Harbour Town. He caught Snedeker with a birdie on no. 13, then parred his way in for the match. "There would be some great rewards if I won today, "said Donald. -But I'll try to find positive from this week, and move on.At least Donald datasheet No 1 somehow, doing $ 615,000 to the top of the PGA Tour money list.Snedeker served with $1,026. The biggest issue facing Snedeker now is whether he'll be back to defend his title.Heritage is without a title sponsor, the PGA Tour and the event leader says is important for its return in 2012. There was talk throughout the week Sunday surprise announcement of a spokesperson to give guarantees to the professionals. None was forthcoming, however, and the tournament director Steve Wilmot said "sponsorship continues the search seriously."Gainey, bidding to become the first South Carolina native to win the State's PGA Tour, missed a 15-foot birdie putt on his last hole that would have put him in a match. "I would have loved to have won, "said Gainey, who gained fame as" Two gloves "Golf Channel 's" Big Break "series. "I think it is the second-best tournament on tour" behind the Masters Defending champion Jim Furyk. finished with his highest score, 76, in his previous 33 rounds at Harbour town to fall from contention. "I was just kind of a bad roll and it snowballed on me today, "he said.

Copyright 2010 associated press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For more information about reprints and permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. Send comments to letters@usatoday.com grants publication in the newspaper. Include name, telephone number, city and State for the control. To view our corrections, go to corrections. usatoday.com. We have updated conversation guidelines. Changes include a brief overview of the moderation and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.