In the shadow of the NFL Playoffs, the PGA Tour had a hard fought playoff of their own.

Jason Dufner, entering the final round of the Career Builder Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation with a two shot lead, shot a final round 70 to win his first PGA Tour event in two and a half years. 

Dufner struggled early, going out in a one over par 37 that saw his lead evaporate. Three straight birdies to open the back nine, however, gave Dufner the lead again, but he quickly saw that lead go away when David Lingmerth, looking for his second PGA Tour title, started draining birdies. Lingmerth briefly had the solo lead after firing a final round 65, but Dufner retook a share of the lead on the 16th hole.

That's when things got interesting for Dufner. On the par 3 17th, Dufner hit his tee shot over the green and found himself among the rocks of the water hazard. He initially left his caddy on the tee, thinking he was going to have to hit another tee shot, but Dufner caught a break by having a swing at the ball. He made the most of his fortunate circumstance by almost holing a miraculous shot out of the hazard. 

I thought it was in the water." Dufner said after the round. "I got a great break. Sometimes those things happen.”

The tournament went back to the 18th hole in the playoff, where Lingmerth had the advantage off the tee. Dufner hit his ball in a deep fairway bunker, which forced him to lay up short of the green. Lingmerth, meanwhile, hit his second shot within 20 feet of the pin. Lingmerth, however, was unable to make his birdie putt to win, and Dufner got up and down, sinking a clutch 15 foot putt to extend the playoff. 

The two players went back to the 18th tee for the second playoff hole, and both players hit their tee shots into the rough. Playing first, Lingmerth, who had been incredibly solid all day long, hit his second shot into the water. When Dufner hit his second onto the green, it secured the victory for the 2013 PGA Champion.

In the rough, I didn’t choke up enough on the club." Lingmerth said when asked about his second shot in the playoff. "It wasn’t really a bad swing, it was just a mistake on my part.”

The win is a huge one for Dufner, who was at one point ranked inside the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings after three victories in two seasons between 2012 and 2013. Injuries, a loss of form, and off the course personal struggles caused Dufner to fall to 135th. 

For me to win this week, I felt like one of the best players in the world this week.” Dufner said. “It was tough today. I didn’t play as good on the front nine like I would have liked. I’m proud of myself for hanging in there and staying positive.”

This caps off a string of three straight top 10's for Dufner, who is putting himself back into contention to make the Ryder Cup team. At 38, Dufner becomes the oldest winner on the PGA Tour this season.

Lefty On His Way Up

Phil Mickelson has only had five top 10 finishes in the past two years, and hasn't won since the 2013 Open Championship. After a swing change in the off season, however, Mickelson appears to be turning things around. Mickelson, who admitted entering this week that he may be one week away from truly contending, finished T3, four shots out of the playoff.

I’m excited." Mickelson said after his final round 68. "This is a really great week for me for validation that I’m on the right track. I believe I should continue to get better as the days, weeks, months go on.”

When asked about his swing change, Mickelson said “It felt different off the tee. It felt easier off the tee.”

Mickelson will be playing the next three weeks at courses where he has had success in the past. Next week, Lefty will tee it up at the Northern Trust Open from Torrey Pines in his home town of San Diego.

Na Continues To Get Close

Kevin Na is only six weeks into his 2015-2016 PGA Tour season, but he already has four top five finishes. The problem, the 32 year old Na has been unable to cash in on any of those high finishes. Na, who is seeking his first victory in nearly five years, has five runner up finished in the past two years. Na continues to play enough solid golf to get in position to win, but it has to be frustrating to not get that second victory.

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