Australia’s Jason Day has narrowly missed out on a first victory in more than a year, losing a sudden-death playoff to American Billy Horschel at the US PGA Tour’s Byron Nelson tournament.

World No.4 Day failed to match Horschel’s par at the first playoff hole, missing his four-foot second putt as his rival claimed his fourth PGA tour victory.

Day earlier shot a final-round two-under par 68 to tie with Horschel (69) at 12-under.

He had claimed the outright lead when he chipped in on the 15th hole and he missed a birdie putt for victory on the 18th.

Playing the tournament that provided the first of his 10 tour victories back in 2010, former world No.1 Day was seeking his first win since last year’s Players Championship.

His runner-up result represents a return to better form after struggling with injury and his mother’s illness, with his previous best outing in 2017 a tie for fifth at Pebble Beach back in February.

World No.76 Horschel admitted he had been struggling before this win.

“This is the most emotional of all the four (wins),” he told Sky Sports.

“The other three I was playing well going into them and this one I wasn’t. I can’t lie, I didn’t have any success.

“Jason didn’t have his best game out there, and I know I didn’t, but we both battled.

“This is what I know of myself. I am as good as the top players in the world.

“Do I have as much talent as Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlory? No. But I try to get everything out of my game that I can and if I can do that I can compete with these guys.”

Joint overnight leader James Hahn finished one shot back in third place ofter a 69.