American Charley Hoffman finished birdie-eagle before winning his maiden PGA Tour title in a playoff with compatriot John Rollins at the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Desert, California on Sunday.

The 30-year-old from San Diego, who holed a 10-footer at the par-five 18th in regulation play to complete a one-under-par 71, birdied the same hole in extra time to seal victory.

Rollins had to settle for second after finding a bunker off the 18th tee on his way to a par-five at the first extra hole.

The pair finished the five-round event at 17-under 343, Rollins closing with a 73 in strong, gusting winds at the Classic Club.

"I didn't really think I had a chance with two holes to play, and somehow got it done," a beaming Hoffman told reporters after earning a cheque for $900,000 and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

"But it was brutal out there. Probably the hardest conditions I've played in, for sure."

The long-haired Hoffman was one of only seven players in the 76-strong field to shoot sub-par scores in the final round when the average was 74.76.

FOUTH PLAYER

He also became the fourth player to clinch his first PGA Tour victory at the Bob Hope Classic, following Bill Rogers (1978), Craig Stadler (1980) and Donnie Hammond (1986).

Britain's Justin Rose, who held the outright lead for much of a gruelling day in the California desert, took third spot at 16 under after carding a 76.

Jeff Quinney, who aced the par-three 17th with a four-iron on his way to a 73, was a further stroke back in a tie for fourth with fellow American Heath Slocum (72).

Rose, bidding for his maiden PGA Tour title, made the first significant move in the final round when he forged three shots clear after just two holes.

Joint pacesetter overnight with American Lucas Glover, he rolled in a 10-footer to birdie the first while playing partner Glover missed four-foot par putts at the first and second.

The 26-year-old Englishman made his first mistake of the day at the par-four fifth, running up a double-bogey six there for his advantage to be cut to one.

With all the players struggling in the most difficult conditions of the week, Rose missed a four-footer to bogey the seventh and dropped another shot at the eighth after finding water off the tee.

FORGED AHEAD

After reaching the turn tied for the lead with Quinney at 17 under, Rose again forged ahead when he rolled in a seven-footer to birdie the par-four 10th.

Further bogeys followed for Rose, at the 11th and 13th, as the leaderboard fluctuated wildly with winds gusting up to 70 kph in the Coachella Valley.

Rose's victory bid ended with regulation pars over the last five holes.

"I think the wind was playing us today," the 26-year-old Englishman said. "It was survival more than anything. I don't think there was much great golf being played out there."

Hoffman picked up his third shot of the day when he coaxed in a 15-footer on 17 and briefly held the outright lead when he eagled 18 after hitting a superb eight-iron into the heart of the green.

Moments later, twice PGA Tour winner Rollins birdied the last to take the tournament into extra time.

"The wind howled all day and there was really no let up," Rollins said. "We gave ourselves a chance coming in, made some good putts to save pars to keep the momentum going and just came up a little short in the playoff."

Among the big names who made the fourth-round cut, Masters champion Phil Mickelson finished at seven under after closing with a 78, one shot worse than former world number one David Duval, after a 74.