Heath Slocum

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (AFP) — Heath Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the final hole Sunday to claim a one-shot win at The Barclays, the first of the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff series.

Slocum’s effort denied a possible playoff that would have included world No. 1 Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker – who is second on the FedEx Cup points list - as well as three-time major champions Ernie Els of South Africa and Padraig Harrington of Ireland.

Slocum shot a four-under 67 Sunday for a nine-under total of 275.

Woods and Harrington also carded 67s, while Els posted a five-under 66 and Stricker shot 69. Those four shared second on eight-under 276.

With the win, Slocum leapt from 124th on the FedEx Cup points list to third behind Woods and Stricker.

“That’s what is unbelievable about this system,”said Slocum, who earned $1.35 million for his third US PGA Tour win. “I was sweating it out last week not knowing if I’d even be here. I found out late Sunday and I came in with the attitude that I’ve got nothing to lose and I’ll let it hang out and play the best I can.”

Overnight co-leaders Paul Goydos and Steve Marino both struggled in the final round at Liberty National.

Goydos carded a 75 for a share of ninth place on 279, while Marino faltered with a 77 to finished tied for 15th.