BOGART, Ga. ' Patrick Sheehan birdied the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Michael Sim and win the Athens Regional Foundation Classic.
Sheehan birdied the 18th hole twice in a row ' at the end of regulation, then in the playoff ' for his second Nationwide Tour victory. He closed with a 4-under 68 in the final round.
Sim fired a 9-under 63 to climb from a tie for 19th place overnight into a share of the lead with Sheehan at 14-under 274. But he couldn’t beat Sheehan’s birdie in the playoff.
Darron Stiles shot a 6-under 66 and finished one stroke out of the playoff at 13-under 275.
Garth Mulroy (65), John Riegger (66), Daniel Summerhays (69), Rich Barcelo (71) and third-round leader Bob Burns (73) shared fourth place at 11-under 277.
Sheehan, tied for second place overnight, needed a rally to catch Sim after bogeying the 13th and 15th holes to fall two shots off the lead. With Sim already in the clubhouse at 14-under, Sheehan had three holes to equal him.
He birdied the par-4 16th, then the par-5 18th to force the playoff. Minutes later, his win would be sealed at the same hole.
Sheehan, a non-exempt member of the PGA Tour, claimed his second Nationwide Tour victory. His first came at the 2002 Price Cutter Charity Championship.
He also held at least a piece of the lead after the first and second rounds.
Sim was going for his second victory in as many tournaments after winning the Stonebrae Classic two weeks ago. He posted a flawless final round that included an eagle at the par-5 second and seven birdies.
He vaulted into the lead with five birdies over his final seven holes in regulation, including one at the 18th.
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