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Fowler wins, McIlroy back on top

Image: Rickie Fowler: birdied first extra hole to claim Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy has regained top spot in the world rankings after losing out to Rickie Fowler in a play-off at the Wells Fargo Championship.

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American earns first PGA Tour crown in play-off at Quail Hollow

Rickie Fowler clinched his maiden PGA Tour title after edging out Rory McIlroy and DA Points in a play-off at the Wells Fargo Championship. After all three finished on 14-under-par in regulation, they went back up the par-four 18th and Fowler piled on the pressure with a superb second to four feet. McIlroy and Points were off target with their approaches and had to settle for pars before Fowler rattled in the winning birdie putt. McIlroy, winner at Quail Hollow two years ago, found consolation as he returned to the top of the world rankings ahead of Luke Donald for the third time in as many months. The Northern Irishman picked up three birdies in four holes around the turn before making a costly mistake at the 11th, although he got back on track with birdies at 14 and 15.

Chances

But a poor tee shot at 17 cost him another shot, and his slippery 15-footer for birdie at the last drifted wide as he settled for a two-under 70. Points covered 17 holes with 15 pars and two birdies, but he dropped his first shot of the weekend after twice finding sand at the last. Fowler had earlier set the target after he recovered from a sluggish start to salvage a 69, which included five birdies in eight holes before he dropped his third shot of the day at 16. Overnight leader Webb Simpson laboured to a 73 to finish one behind, while Lee Westwood was seven under for the first 10 holes before fading on the back nine - a 66 earning him a tie for fifth on 11 under.

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