The victory was the first in three years for the 28-year-old Spaniard, who saved a par at the last hole to fire a final-round 71, one-under par, to match US veteran Goydos after 72 holes at five-under par 283.

In the play-off, a wind gust sent Goydos' tee shot into the water while Garcia put his tee shot four feet from the cup and two-putted for the victory.

"It's a lot of hard work that's starting to pay off," Garcia said.

"It has been a lot of work.

I feel like the last three years I've been playing tournaments well, played very nicely, but I haven't been able to win."

"Everything was so hard out there.

I'm just so thrilled I was able to come through with the win."

Garcia became only the second European player to win the nine million-dollar tournament, the first since Sandy Lyle won a playoff 21 years ago on the third extra hole.

That had been the last play-off at the Players until Sunday.

Nampa-AFP

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