Dream come true for Ancer with historic WGC title win

Abraham Ancer became the first Mexican to win a World Golf Championship with a play-off victory over Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama in the Fedex St Jude Invitational.

Ancer, aged 30, carded a closing 68 to finish on 16-underpar after 72 holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis, with Matsuyamaandburnsmatching that total after storming through the field with rounds of 63 and 64 respectively.

Masters champion Matsuyama almost won it on the first trip back up the last, as he lipped out from 20 feet, before Ancer, pictured inset, holed from six feet for a birdie at the second extra hole, then Burns lipped out from inside him.

“I was trying to kind of let it all sink in there in the ceremony on 18,” said Ancer of a success that lifted him 12 spots to 11th in the world rankings. “It was something I’ve been working for since I was a little kid. A dream come true to win on the PGA Tour and to do it on a big stage was cool.”

American Harris English started the day with a two-shot lead, but fired 73 to finish a shot off the play-off, one clear of countryman Daniel Berger, Australian Cameron Smith and England’s Paul Casey.

Bryson Dechambeau's 74 left him at 12-under alongside fellow American Will Zalatoris, a shot clear of England's Ian Poulter and former world number one Dustin Johnson.

“It was a crazy round,” said Ancer. “I thought I was going to need a low one to have a chance, but it just worked out it was like pretty much survival mode on the back nine.”

Lorena Ochoa won two majors and enjoyed a spell as world number one in the women’s game, but Ancer is now leading the way in Mexican men making an impact.

“Hopefully this week will inspire some kids to get out there and play golf and learn about the game and just grow the game in general,” he said.

Bob Macintyre finished in a tie for 15thafter signing off with a second successive 68 for eight-under. Martin Laird, the other Scot in the field in Memphis, closed with a 77 to finish in a tie for 57th.