Ancer regained just enough of the composure that helped him to a five-stroke lead after two rounds to beat Smith and Englishman Paul Casey on the first play-off hole.

The Mexican's comfortable lead at the start of the final round gradually disappeared as he struggled to keep up with the chasing pack on Sunday, carding a two-over 72.

Casey's six-under 64 final round – which led his Crushers GC to the team title – pulled him even with Ancer while Smith signed for four-under to secure a place in the play-off, with the trio finishing at 13-under for the tournament.

"The ball striking wasn't there but mentally I was really strong so I felt really good, I felt like I was not going to give up.” – Abraham Ancer.

With heavy rain falling, Ancer rediscovered his touch to find the fairway with his opening drive of the first play-off hole on the 18th while Casey and Smith pushed theirs right and left, respectively.

Ancer's spectacular approach shot set up a short birdie putt that he converted while Casey and Smith both finished with bogeys.

"I made that so hard on myself," said Ancer.

"The ball striking wasn't there but mentally I was really strong so I felt really good, I felt like I was not going to give up.

"That round could have gone south really quickly and hit some good bunker shots, some good putts that I needed to and just get myself in it and hit the right shot at the right time there in the play-off."

Joaquin Niemann, who won the Jeddah tournament in Saudi Arabia last week for his second LIV victory in three starts, finished a stroke behind the play-off group after a sparkling seven-under in his final round.

Next up on the LIV tour will be Miami from April 5-7