Golf: Smail loses in three-way play-off

Hamilton's David Smail went from rough to rough in a three-way play-off for the Japan Golf Tour Championship and finished second equal.

Kazuhiko Hosokawa made a clutch par putt at the second extra hole to win at Shishido Hills Cup for his first title in four years.

Hosokawa beat overnight leader Smail and Yasuharu Imano in a three-way play-off after they finished the regulation 72 holes tied at 7-under 273 at Shishido Hills Country Club.

Hosokawa sank a delicate 2m putt to seal the victory on the decisive playoff hole - the par-4 18th - after Smail went from rough to rough and Imano went from bunker to bunker and failed to make par.

It was the eighth career title on the tour for the 34-year-old, whose last victory came at the 2001 Acom International.