Mahan Wins Travelers, First PGA Event

Birdie Putt on First Playoff Hole Seals Win

Hunter Mahan earned his first PGA Tour victory Sunday, winning the Travelers Championship in a playoff a year after finishing second.

Mahan, in his fourth year on Tour, hit a 2-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat 40-year-old journeyman Jay Williamson.Mahan, 25, has had just one other top-10 finish this year, tying for fifth at the Shell Houston Open in April. But he plays this tournament well, posting one of his two career second-place finishes.His 62 on Thursday was one shot off the course record, and his 71 on Friday was his first round out of the 60s in this tournament since he shot a 72 during the third round in 2005.He made a 7-foot birdie putt on 18 to force the playoff, then hit his 134-yard approach on the first playoff hole within 12 inches.Williamson was just 7 feet away after a 169-yard approach, but missed the putt.The second-place finish will be enough to earn Williamson a trip to Flint, Mich., for the Buick Open before he returns to the Nationwide Tour. He was hoping to earn back his PGA Tour card with a win.Williamson has had 279 other PGA Tour starts, and his best finish had been a tie for third in the 2003 BellSouth Classic.