by Andrew Andreychik

Brian Davis congratulates Jim Furyk on his PGA tour win after Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself. Photo courtesy of AP.

Brian Davis was looking for his first PGA tour win, and on Sunday, he was in great position to get that victory. After Davis birdied the 18th hole and Jim Furyk parred it, the two golfers were forced to play another hole to decide the winner of the Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head, SC.

The playoff hole was back at the 18th where Davis had birdied. Davis tried to hit the same shot he did before, but instead of reaching the green in two, he hit into a hazard. In the hazard, Davis did his best and succeeded in punching his way onto the green.

However, Davis went over to the official and told him that he thought he had committed a penalty.  An official visit to the replay booth confirmed that Davis had hit a branch in his back swing which resulted in a two-stroke penalty. Consequently, there was no chance for Davis to get the win, but he was praised for his honesty and ethical behavior.

No one (even the official) saw the foul Davis had committed except for ,himself. If he hadn’t committed the penalty, he still might not have won but he would have put more pressure on Furyk.

With the win, Furyk gets his 25th win on the PGA tour and his second this season. Furyk is only one of two professional golfers to record more than one victory in the young 2010 season alongside of Ernie Els.