Kim tops O'Hair in playoff to win Kiwi Challenge

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HAWKE'S BAY, New Zealand -- Anthony Kim slashed his way to a bogey on the first playoff hole Thursday, but it was good enough to defeat Sean O'Hair and earn the $1 million first prize at the Kiwi Challenge at Cape Kidnappers.

Kim, who was runner-up a year ago, closed with a final round of 5-under 66 for a 36-hole total of 137. O'Hair, who shot 69 on Thursday, hit a wedge to 4 feet on the 18th hole and made birdie to tie Kim, who had led from the 12th hole until the last.

Hunter Mahan finished with a 67 for at 2-under total of 140 over the par-71, 7,187-yard layout. Camilo Villegas shot 72 for a total of 141.

In the playoff on the 650-yard, par-5 15th, O'Hair found trouble left of the tee for the second time Thursday. He made a double bogey, allowing Kim breathing room to reach the green in four and two-putt for the win.

"It feels wonderful," Kim said. "I did what I had to do to win and fortunately I made a couple putts.

Kim started dropping putts early in the second round, with three consecutive birdies to get to 3 under after five holes, just one stroke off the lead held by O'Hair. O'Hair and Kim battled the rest of the way, with Kim holding a one-stroke advantage heading to the 15th.

"That tee shot just doesn't appeal to my eye," O'Hair said. "I probably should have hit a 5-wood and just blocked it out to the right. But at 650 yards you feel like you have to hit driver. The bottom line is I just didn't execute.

"But I played really well; well enough to win. If I had just made a par on 15 the first time around, I wouldn't have been in a playoff."

O'Hair had led or shared the lead from the second hole where he made eagle with a 30-foot putt. He shot 3-under 68 to lead after the first round as well. Kim was 3 strokes back at that point with a 71.

Defending champion Hunter Mahan rallied with five birdies on his first nine holes Thursday to reach 3 under and gain a momentary share of the lead, but his bogeys on Nos. 10 and 15 derailed him.

"I played nine good holes and 27 bad holes," said Mahan, who shot a course-record 65 on his way to winning last year.