American Keegan Bradley won his maiden major title after defeating compatriot Jason Dufner in a playoff at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

Both players finished at eight under in regulation, before PGA Tour rookie Bradley claimed a one-shot triumph at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia with a birdie and two pars in the three-hole playoff.

Dufner, who led by as much as five shots midway through the final round, finished with a par, bogey and birdie in the decider to fall agonisingly close to winning his maiden major and PGA Tour event.

Bradley's victory, his second on the PGA Tour this year following his win at the Byron Nelson Championship in May, sees him become the first player since Ben Curtis at the 2003 British Open to win on his major debut.

Bradley, 25, is also the youngest PGA Championship winner since Tiger Woods claimed the same major in 1999.

Bradley trailed Dufner by five shots following a triple bogey at the 15th, but showed remarkable resilience to rally with birdies at 16 and 17.

Dufner endured a dramatic collapse after finding water at the par-three 15th to set up the first of three-straight bogeys before salvaging par at the difficult 18th to force a playoff.

Dane Anders Hansen shot a sterling four-under 66 to finish outright second at seven under, while overnight co-leader Brendan Steele's challenge crumbled early following four bogeys on the front nine that set up a disastrous 77.

Robert Karlsson looked in contention until finishing his round with bogeys at 16, 17, and 18, forcing the Swede into a tie for fourth with Americans David Toms and Scott Verplank at five under.

WGC-Bridgestone winner Adam Scott capped another solid display with a final-round 68 to claim outright seventh at four under, while fellow Aussie's John Senden (70) was even with the card in a tie for 19th and Robert Allenby a shot further back after a final round 68.

English duo Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, world no.1 and two respectively, finished at three under with Americans Kevin Na and D.A. Points rounded out the top ten at two under.

from pgatour.com.au