Sam Burns defends Valspar title as Lowry finishes strongly

Sam Burns successfully defended his Valspar Championship title, defeating Davis Riley in a playoff, while Shane Lowry registered a third consecutive round of 68 to finish tied-12th.

Burns birdied the second play-off hole to edge past Riley and claim his third PGA Tour title in 12 months.

Justin Thomas finished a shot back alongside Matthew NeSmith, with Matt Fitzpatrick in tied-fifth in Florida.

He BURIES it❗️ Unbelievable putt from @SamBurns66. pic.twitter.com/CbWOptcjLW

Lowry fired a third successive 68 to finish the tournament on 11-under-par and in a four-way tie for 12th place alongside Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Alexander Noren.

Valspar Championship: Final Standings

The 2019 Open champion started his final round strongly, with birdies on the 1st, 5th and 6th. He dropped a shot on the par-3 8th, falling back to 10 under. He added one more birdie on the par-5 14th to clamber back to -11.

It's Lowry's second successive top-15 finish after tying 13th in last week's Players Championship at Sawgrass.

Graeme McDowell, the only other Irish player to line up at the starting gate in Florida, had missed the cut with rounds of 73 and 71.