When Camilo Villegas signed his final round scorecard for a seven under 63, he figured he would head for the driving range as a play-off for the Wyndham Championship was likely.

He need not have worried as one-by-one the other contenders for the title stumbled and he was left at the top of the leaderboard at day’s end, giving him his first PGA Tour victory in four years.

Camilo Villegas fires his second shot into the 18th green during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images Camilo Villegas fires his second shot into the 18th green during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images

Villegas’ seven under 63 saw him finish at 17-under 263, which was good enough to finish one stroke clear of Bill Haas and Swede Freddie Jacobsen, who missed an 11-footer for birdie on the 72nd hole to force extra time. The Colombian had a nervous wait in the scoring area, having to wait for around 40 minutes after completing his round to see if a playoff would be required.

"I was hoping for a playoff," Villegas said. "I thought I needed one more (stroke).

"When the boys got closer to the last hole, you can get a little anxious … you don't have a golf club in your hand. You can't really control it.

Camilo Villegas gets his hands on some silverware for the first time in four years. PHOTO: Getty Images Camilo Villegas gets his hands on some silverware for the first time in four years. PHOTO: Getty Images

Villegas began the day five strokes back but quickly caught up with three birdies and an eagle in his first five holes to move to 15-under.

This was his first PGA Tour victory since he won the Honda Classic in 2010. The win gives the 32 year-old a much-needed boost going into the FedEx Cup playoffs. Prior to this victory, Villegas’ best finish this season was a T11 at the FedEx St Jude Classic at TPC Southwind back in June. Villegas’ season has also included seven missed cuts and a withdrawal.

With this victory at Sedgefield, Villegas climbed to No.37 in the FedEx standings, jumping 68 spots from no. 105 last week.

Heading into the final round, American Nick Watney was in the lead after an impressive third round that included a 20-ft birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole to card a five under 65, which gave him a one-stroke lead going into the final day. At 17-under it appeared Watney would be headed for a sixth PGA Tour victory, however, he bogeyed the 14th, his second bogey of the day and third of the weekend and needed a birdie on the final hole to tie with Villegas. Watney double-bogeyed the 18th to drop back to 14-under to tie for fifth with former Wyndham Championship winner Brandt Snedeker and fellow American Webb Simpson.

Heath Slocum finished fourth on 15 under, having slipped off the pace with two late bogeys. It proved costly for Slocum as the fourth placing also kept him out of the FedEx Cup playoffs, having finished at No. 129 in the standings.

Stuart Appleby and Steven Bowditch were the only Aussies to see weekend action. Appleby tied for 38th with a 7-under 273 while Bowditch finished at tied for 57th with a 3-under 277.

- Lukas Raschilla

 LEADERBOARD

1. Camilo Villegas (Col)    63-69-68-63—263

T2. Bill Haas (US)   68-64-66-66—264

T2. Freddie Jacobson (Swe) 68-64-66-66—264

4. Heath Slocum (US)  65-65-68-67—265

T5. Brandt Snedeker (US)  68-65-66-67—266

T5. Webb Simpson (US)   64-69-66-67—266

T5. Nick Watney (US)    67-64-65-70—266

ALSO:

T38. Stuart Appleby  (NSW)    68-69-66-70—273

T57. Steven Bowditch (Vic)    66-70-70-71—277

* For the full leaderboard, click here