Houston Open: JB Holmes wins play-off to deny Johnson Wagner

Holmes missed the cut at his most recent PGA Tour event, last month's Arnold Palmer Invitational

American JB Holmes captured his fourth PGA Tour victory with a play-off win at the Houston Open in Humble, Texas.

The 32-year-old world number 20 began the day six back in 18th place but made seven birdies in his first eight holes.

He shot a 64 for a 16-under total, matched by overnight leader Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner, and won with a par at the second extra hole.

England's Paul Casey was ninth, four shots back after a one-under 71, and Phil Mickelson tied for 17th.

"I knew I had to play a really low round and I started out great," Holmes said. "It worked out for me."

Five-time major winner Mickelson's round finished in sorry, soggy fashion when he rolled up one trouser leg and attempted to play out of the lake along the left-side of the 18th.

The American could not move his ball and finished with a double bogey six as he ended seven adrift of Holmes.

Holmes mastered the cool, damp conditions at the Golf Club of Houston and his lowest final round on the tour contained nine one-putts.

Long after Holmes had completed his round, Wagner, the 2008 champion who has lost his full-time playing privileges on the PGA Tour and shot an 87 at last week's Texas Open, holed from 25 feet to birdie the last.

World number four Spieth had also reached 16 under with successive birdies from the 13th and saved par at the last for a 70 after his second finished on a downhill lie in thick rough above a bunker.

But at the first play-off hole, the 18th, Spieth bowed out after his ball landed in a precarious spot on a slope near the water and he was then disturbed by cameras playing from the bunker, which resulted in a bogey.

Wagner produced a sublime escape to save par but when the 18th was played again for the second extra hole he three-putted for a bogey.

Spieth, 21, is second favourite to win next week's Masters with some bookmakers. He said: "I felt very comfortable with more and more pressure going into Augusta, which has the most pressure anywhere."