HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) – Stewart Cink came from nine strokes down to force a playoff, then beat Ted Purdy with a birdie on the fifth extra hole to win the MCI Heritage on Sunday.

Cink shot a 7-under 64 to pull of the second biggest PGA comeback and win his first title in four years.

Cink had six birdies and an eagle to catch Purdy at 10-under 274. Purdy started the round with a four shot lead, but struggled to a 2-over 73.

Ernie Els shot a 69 to finish in a tie for third at 8-under, his same score of a week ago when he lost by a stroke to Phil Mickelson at the Masters.

After Purdy and Cink matched pars for four holes, Cink landed a wedge from the waste bunker about 6 feet away while Purdy was off the back of the green.

Purdy parred the hole, then Cink rolled in the winner.

However, after the champion’s ceremony, Cink went with PGA Tour tournament director Slugger White to review his critical bunker shot on the final hole. Television viewers called in to point out that Cink removed loose stones from the area before he hit.

White said they reviewed the footage about 10 times and found Cink had done nothing wrong.

White said PGA Tour rules allow players to move impediments other than loose soil or sand from such hazards.

“It looked like what he removed he was legally able to,” White said.

Cink and Purdy shook hands as White explained the ruling, finally ending a long day.

Cink’s comeback was only surpassed by Paul Lawrie’s 10-stroke rally to win the 1999 British Open.

It was the third career victory for a player remembered most for missing an 18-inch putt at the U.S. Open in 2001 that would’ve gotten him into a playoff.

“I’m playing well. I’ve been consistent this year,” Cink said. “I’ve waited a few years for it and it feels great.”

Cink was so far back he teed off nearly two hours before Purdy, the 54-hole leader bidding for his first PGA win.

Then again, Cink’s got a knack for charging late at Harbour Town Golf Links. In 2000, Cink trailed Els by five shots here before a closing 65 got him the victory.

“I’ve been around here long enough to know that rarely does it finish that way,” Cink said.

Purdy had a chance to win in regulation with a birdie putt inside of 10 feet on No. 18, but he slipped it left to lead to the tournament’s third playoff in four years.

Purdy also missed a 15-foot try on the first extra hole that would have given him a victory.

Cink started fast with birdies on the second and third holes. He gained more momentum with a 20-footer for eagle on the par-5 fifth hole.

“Three great shots, a good drive and a two-iron near the hole,” Cink said. “Just to have the putter rolling and seeing the ball go in the hole means so much.”

Cink made consecutive birdies on Nos. 9 and 10 to keep the pressure on. After his only bogey at No. 11, Cink surged again with birdies on the 15th hole and on the 18th, jabbing his fist in the air as the ball disappeared.

Still, Cink wouldn’t have been in it without Purdy’s fade.

The 30-year-old, whose only U.S. victory was the Nationwide Tour’s First Tee Arkansas Classic a year ago this week, rose to the top of the leaderboard with rounds of 69-67-65.

And early on, Purdy made a 10-foot putt for birdie on No. 1, then had a two-putt birdie on the par-5 fifth hole to maintain his four-shot lead.

Things went wrong after that.

Purdy fell into a tie with Cink when he chipped short on his third shot to the par-5 15th and could not make a 10-foot par putt.

Purdy thought he’d regained the lead as his 25-footer for birdie appeared to curl into the hole, but slid away for par. Purdy nearly lost his balance punching the air and kicking his leg in premature celebration.

Again, Purdy looked done when he drove near the marsh retaining wall on the par-3 17th hole. His chip bounced off the flagstick and rolled about 15 feet away. But Purdy responded with his longest putt of the round to save par.

Divots: Justin Leonard’s back to his old ways at Harbour Town. He never finished better than 30th before he won here in 2002. Since, he’s finished tied for 47th and 39th. … Defending champ and five-time winner Davis Love III ended at 1-over 283, his highest four-round score at Harbour Town since he shot 287 in 1995.

AP-ES-04-18-04 2019EDT