ROBERT ALLENBY is pictured lining up the birdie putt on the 17th at TPC Sawgrass that stopped millimetres short of forcing a playoff with eventual winner Tim Clark.

The Australian had played almost flawless golf in the home stretch of the 2010 Players Championship, regarded by many as the unofficial fifth major, to fall just one short of South African Clark.

It would have been Allenby’s first US PGA Tour win since 2001 but no one can begrudge Clark his first.

Clark came from the middle of the pack on the final day to snatch an unlikely win with a five under par 67 – his first win anywhere since the 2008 Australian Open.

With Clark sitting in the clubhouse with a 16 under 272, Allenby needed a birdie on the final two holes to force a playoff.

His reaction to the miss at 17 (pictured), says it all.

“I did everything I could possibly do to try and win the tournament but obviously the golfing gods were with Tim today,” Allenby said.  Pocketing the $US1,026,000 consolation prize for finishing second will probably help the finances a little, but with the continued improvement of his claw grip putting stroke added to his renowned ball striking ability, that elusive PGA Tour win can’t be that far off.

England’s Lee Westwood again contended for much of the tournament only to finish as a placegetter – this time tied for fifth.

Lucas Glover was outright third, whilst the Woods versus Mickelson showdown just didn’t happen.

Woods withdrew with a neck injury and Crazy Phil finished tied for 17th.

Adam Scott was the next best of the Australians in 26th position, Greg Chalmers was 34th and James Nitties 39th.

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