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Darkness forces PGA Tour playoff delay

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ST SIMONS ISLAND, GA - NOVEMBER 20: Billy Horschel (R) of the United States reacts as Camilo Villegas (L) of Colombia consoles him after missing his putt to get knocked out of first playoff round on the 18th green during the final round of the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort Seaside Course on November 20, 2016 in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
  • Post published:November 21, 2016

A playoff to decide the RSM Classic was suspended until Monday due to bad light at Sea Island Golf Club, which forced Camillo Villegas, Henrik Norlander, Blayne Barber and Mackenzie Hughes to sleep on sudden-death.

All four players are at different positions of their career, beginning with four-time PGA Tour winner Camillo Villegas looking to regain full status with a victory.

Blayne Barber, now in his third year on tour,  and rookie Mackenzie Hughes are each hoping for a maiden victory, the latter of them playing just his fifth PGA Tour event.

Henrik Norlander, argualy the most experienced player of the lot, is playing off a sponsor’s invitation and needs a win to secure his PGA Tour card.

There were five players who finished regulation play at 17 under par, but Billy Horschel missed a two-foot putt for par on the first extra trip down 18 and was eliminated from the competition.

‘They say you learn more from losses than wins. I believe it’s true. For me, I didn’t take my time over that short putt. Simple as that,’ he said.

The remaining four players went down 18 again, each two-putting for par and forcing a continuation in play, which meant a Monday finish, starting at the 17th hole.

‘People don’t know how dark it is right now,’ Villegas said. ‘It’s going to be nice and cold in the morning. We’ll be back and try to take another trophy home.’