The snack before the final round at TPC Sawgrass was that Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau for the second week in a row went together in the leader ball on Sunday.

But neither the 47-year-old Englishman, who started with two kinds of lead, nor the 27-year-old American managed to pinch the title and the victory check of the equivalent of 23 million kroner.

Instead, it was Justin Thomas, third before the final round, who sailed up to victory in The Players after a first-class sprint.

Thomas had no further start to the day and when he three-putted the eighth hole he still had not made a birdie.

Then everything turned in a jiffy, as it can so often do in golf.

Eagle gave the upper hand

Birdies at ninth and tenth were followed by a magnificent eagle at eleven, before becoming a birdie at twelve.

Five under par on four holes - and suddenly the 27-year-old world three had the grip.

Then Thomas never let go in front of the spectators, about 20 percent of the maximum capacity, who got to see the drama.

Westwood was admittedly level with three holes left, but lost his real chances of winning when he made par on 16th and bogey on 17th.

Thomas made birdie and par on the same hole.

DeChambeau was sluggish, sprinted with an eagle on the 16th, but then it was too late.

"Fought so hard"

While Justin Thomas signed his scoring card on 68 strokes - and a total of 14 under par - Westwood and DeChambeau were on the 18th hole.

Their only remote chance to force a special play was to lower a long shot for the eagle, but it did not happen.

- It is much tougher (to decide) than when the fans are not here, I am so happy that they are back and I am so happy to be champion of "Players", says Thomas.

- I fought so hard today and had patience, it was probably one of my best rounds in my career from tee to green.

Thanks to the victory in the PGA Tour's flagship competition - often referred to as "the fifth major" - Thomas is the new world number two behind Dustin Johnson.

Westwood dropped a fine birdie putt in 18th and finished second alone, ahead of DeChambeau who shared third place with compatriot Brian Harman.

MORE GOLF: Sörenstam is close to tears after the competitors' tribute

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Sörenstam close tears after the competitors' tribute