Jason Dufner shakes hands with Ernie Els of South Africa after Dufner defeated Els in a two hole playoff to win the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 29, 2012 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

AVONDALE, LA (AP) – Jason Dufner beat Ernie Els with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff Sunday in the Zurich Classic to win for the first time in 164 starts on the PGA Tour.

After entering the fourth round with a two-shot lead, Dufner shot a 2-under 70 at TPC Louisiana. Els had a 67 to match Dufner at 19-under 269.

After both players missed birdie putts within 8 feet on the par-5 18th, they went back to the 18th tee for the second extra hole, which Dufner won by hitting the green in two strokes and tapping home a short birdie putt after Els’ birdie attempt from the fringe narrowly missed.

Dufner lost playoffs last year to Mark Wilson in the Phoenix Open and Keegan Bradley in the PGA Championship for two of his three career runner-up finishes.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)