Argentina's Jose Coceres captured his second PGA title yesterday with a par at the fifth hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Billy Mayfair.

A sand save from the edge of a bunker on the par-three 17th at the fourth playoff hole salvaged the day for Coceres when defeat seemed odds-on and he took the title with a finishing par four at the 18th.

The showdown to decide a winner at the $3.5 million event at Harbour Town Golf Links was suspended by darkness on Sunday after both men parred their first two playoff holes.

Coceres, who missed the cut at the Masters two weeks ago, won his only other crown in 10 seasons on the European PGA Tour last year at Dubai.

This was the first time he had even made a cut in a US event and his first pro playoff, an extended duel after both he and Mayfair finished 72 holes deadlocked at 11-under par 273.

Both men parred the 18th and 17th on Sunday before darkness fell. They resumed the playoff on the 18th hole where Coceres put his approach 35 feet from the cup while Mayfair was shy of the green. Mayfair left his birdie bid 10 feet short while Coceres needed only a three footer to seal victory.

But after Mayfair missed by 18 inches, Coceres failed as well and both settled for bogey to set up an exciting last couple of holes and a dramatic finish.