Collin Morikawa narrowly avoided another play-off heartbreak, defeating Justin Thomas in a tightly contested decider at the Workday Charity Open in Dublin, Ohio.
The 23-year-old, who suffered a play-off loss at the Charles Schwab Challenge last month, hung on to claim his second PGA Tour win in just 24 starts.
Thomas held a two-shot lead going into Sunday's final round, but Morikawa fought back, posting a six-under 66 to force a play-off, which he won on the third extra hole.
Thomas responded well to bogeying two of the first three holes in his final round, picking up seven shots between the eighth and the 15th, but further dropped shots on 16 and 18 allowed Morikawa back in.
The 23-year-old, who had started the round three strokes behind Thomas, picked up the pressure early on with two birdies and an eagle over the first five holes and, despite bogeying 13, collected three further birdies on the back nine to force the play-off.
"Justin wasn't going to give it to me. He was fighting through the entire day," said Morikawa after clinching the win. "I'm excited right now, I'm so happy."
Tied at 19 under par after four rounds, the pair put on a putting masterclass on the first playoff hole for birdies, with Thomas letting out a roar after sinking a more than 50-foot putt.
But Thomas, who had been flawless through the first three rounds at Muirfield Village Golf Club, missed the fairway on the third playoff hole and got stuck behind a tree, and it was Morikawa who kept his nerve for the win.
Graeme McDowell finished best of the Irish after his round of 72 saw him finish on -5. Shane Lowry was a shot further back after he finished with a round of 69.
The Muirfield Village Golf Club event was added to the PGA Tour's calendar after the John Deere Classic, which was supposed to be held in Illinois, was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
