When Luke Donald lost to Brandt Snedeker in the play-offs at The Heritage in South Carolina, his chance at the top spot in World golf landed in the trap as well.

Needing a victory to top the rankings Donald looked to have achieved his goal when he drained a 12 foot birdie putt at the first extra hole, the 18th.

But Snedeker, who had raced through the field on Sunday with a final round 64, followed him in from similar range to stay alive.

Donald made a great up and down from sand as the pair traded pars at the 17th, the second extra hole, but the Englishman couldn’t repeat the feat when they returned to the 18th again.

Donald’s approach plugged in the sand and after his bunker shot rolled just off the green his chip for par dramatically lipped out, giving Snedeker victory after the American had two putted from 15 feet.

But there is an Englishman at the top of the world rankings again.

Lee Westwood’s victory in the Indonesian Masters earlier in the day was enough to take him aboveMartin Kaymer while Donald, who would have leapfrogged both had he won in South Carolina, remains in third.

Donald, seeking to win a strokeplay event on US soil for the first time since 2006, had started the day with a one-shot lead over Jim Furyk but any thoughts the final group pairing would be involved in a two-horse race quickly evaporated.

Snedeker made the big early charge with an outward 30 and a superb birdie at the 18th saw him post the clubhouse target of 12-under while Donald still had six holes to play.

Donald caught him moments later with a birdie on 13 and had the chance to pull a shot clear when hitting a superb approach to 16 but missed his seven footer.

His short game skills were required at the final two holes when he made par from off the back of the green at 17 and from sand at 18 to card a final round 70 and match Snedeker’s 12-under total.

But although Snedeker went into the play-off cold after finishing his round nearly two hours before Donald it was the American, with only one previous PGA Tour win to his name, who prevailed,

Several players had the chance to get to -12 and join the duo in the play-off.

Tim Herron was the first after birdies at 14 and 16 got the big American to 11-under.

However a poor tee-shot at 18 led to him missing the green with his approach and his birdie chip from off the green failed to drop and he ended up making bogey.

Tommy Gainey also reached the 18th tee needing a birdie to match Snedeker’s clubhouse total and gave himself a great chance after a fine approach to 14 feet.

But the local man pushed his putt to the right and had to settle for par.

Ricky Barnes had flown out of the gates with birdies at four of the opening five holes and reached the turn at -12.

But his swing let him down over the back nine and he played it in two over to finish at 10-under alongside Herron in tied fourth. Gainey finished alone in third.

Source + Pic: skysports.com