Webb Simpson of the US poses with his wife, Dowd, and six-month-old son James after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship golf tournament in a two-hole playoff against compatriot Chez Reavie in Norton, Massachusetts, Sept 5, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

NORTON, Massachusetts - Webb Simpson finished off an amazing comeback with three birdies, the final one on the second extra playoff hole, to win the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday for his second title in three weeks.

On a day filled with big crowds and big moments appropriate to the FedEx Cup playoffs, Simpson delivered a stunning conclusion at the TPC Boston.

He looked as if he would be the runner-up until knocking in a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole for a 6-under 65. That put him into a playoff with Chez Reavie, who had birdied the toughest holes on the back nine and then made bogey on the easiest hole on the course at No 18 for a 66. They finished regulation at 15-under 269.

On the 18th hole in the playoff, Simpson again looked to be out of luck when Reavie chipped to tap-in range for birdie. But Simpson rolled in a 15-foot putt to keep the playoff going, and then won with an 8-foot putt on the 17th hole.

Simpson won his first PGA Tour title three weeks ago at the Wyndham Championship, putting him in good shape for the FedEx Cup playoffs and the chase for a $10 million prize.

"I told somebody early this week that I feel like next time I was in contention, it'll be a lot easier than Greensboro," Simpson said. "And it wasn't that way at all. It was just as hard. The shots and the putts were just as hard. I think it helped calm me down a little, but it was like I had never won a golf tournament before."

Now, he goes to No 1 in the standings and is assured of being among the top five when the FedEx Cup concludes at the Tour Championship at the end of the month.

"I thought winning the second time would be easier," Simpson said.

The win was filled with perks, beyond his ranking in the FedEx Cup race. Simpson locked up a spot on the Presidents Cup team in Australia, and moves to No 14 in the world.

Reavie, who started the season on a medical exemption from knee surgery last year and won't get his full PGA Tour status back until January, came roaring up the leaderboard on the back nine. He made four birdies in a six-hole stretch - including on the toughest par 3 at No 11 and the toughest hole at No. 14 - and was poised to capture his second PGA Tour title until one wedge cost him.

Associated Press