David Lingmerth wins Memorial, an event he almost didn't even attend

 

David Lingmerth had a tough choice ahead of him: make his native country happy by entering a big European Tour golf event in Sweden, or make himself happy by playing the 40th Memorial Tournament, which was being held the same week.

 

He chose wisely.

 

Lingmerth became the first Swede to win the Memorial when he defeated Englishman Justin Rose on the third playoff hole on Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

 

"I've actually chosen this tournament over the Swedish event the last three years," said Lingmerth, who at age 27 won for the first time on the PGA Tour. "I've always felt bad about not coming here, because it's such a great event.

 

"It is a little heartbreaking not to get to play in Sweden, as well. But sometimes you have to make those decisions. And this year I'm definitely happy I made this one."

 

And made it barely. Lingmerth was 118th of the 120 players to qualify for the Memorial. But it's not how you start but where you finish, and he ended at the top, winning $1.1 million of the $6.2 million purse and a handshake from tournament host Jack Nicklaus.

 

"Boy, did he play well coming down the stretch," Nicklaus said. "Even when he hit the ball in trouble he got out of it pretty good."

 

He got out of it for good by parring the third hole of sudden death (No. 10), while Rose bogeyed. Both players ended the regulation 72 holes at 15 under par.

 

The win holds extra benefits for Lingmerth beyond the paycheck. He qualifies for next year's Masters and earns a three-year exemption on tour.

 

"We're going to give him an opportunity to have a little bit of relaxation, not have to worry about week to week," Nicklaus said, smiling.

 

Lingmerth also doesn't have to worry about next year, at least not when it comes to whether to play in Sweden or Dublin. As the reigning champion, he now gets the chance to defend his title.

 

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Lingmerth said. "Right now, I'm just all confused."

 

It was the second-straight year the Memorial was decided in a playoff. Last June, Hideki Matsuyama defeated Kevin Na on the first hole of sudden death.

 

The 2016 Memorial will be June 2-5. The honoree will be Johnny Miller, who won the 1973 U.S. Open, setting a record for lowest round (63) in a major championship. He also won the 1976 British Open. Miller now broadcasts golf for NBC.

 

This article was written by Rob Oller from The Columbus Dispatch and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.