Max Homa heads to Presidents Cup after dramatic Fortinet Championship triumph

A dramatic Sunday of golf started with a playoff victory for Robert MacIntyre in the Italian Open and ended with remarkable scenes in the Fortinet Championship in California.

MacIntyre defeated Matt Fitzpatrick at Marco Simone Golf Club - the pre-tournament 50-1 chance making a birdie at the first extra hole to see off the US Open champion.

Stateside, there were two tournaments, with 16-1 pre-tournament favourite Max Homa edging Danny Willett in the Fortinet Championship. Homa appeared almost certain to lose, going up the 72nd hole one shot behind and struggling to scramble a par from off the green, with leader Willett awaiting a birdie putt from three feet and seven inches.

Willett was matched for £14,000 at 1.01 on Betfair, while Homa was matched for £2 at 1,000. An amazing turn of events followed, though, with Homa chipping in for birdie to tie Willett for the lead, before the Englishman imploded on the green. Willett knocked his birdie putt four feet and eight inches past the hole, then missed the return, carding a bogey to gift Homa victory.

LIV Golf Chicago did not serve up such a thrilling denouement, with Cameron Smith securing a three-shot victory. The ante-post joint-favourite could be backed at 5-1 before a ball was struck, but was 5-6 taking a two-shot lead into Sunday, then carded a steady closing 69. Dustin Johnson and Peter Uihlein tied for second place.

This week sees the Presidents Cup, which starts on Thursday at Quail Hollow, North Carolina. The Internationals have not won the event since 1998 and are easy to back at 7-1 for victory this time. Smith and Joaquin Niemann are banned from the event due to their LIV Golf participation.

The Americans are a best-price 2-11 with Betfred to win for the ninth consecutive time. There was a tie in 2003 and that eventuality can be backed at 18-1.

The DP World Tour stages the French Open at Le Golf National, Paris, which also starts on Thursday. MacIntyre, Patrick Reed and Thomas Pieters are among the entrants.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport