A pair of former U.S. Open Champions, Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell, tied for the lead after 72 holes at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

Patience and a great short game were required to master the extremely windy conditions that prevailed in Sunday’s final round. Tight fairways, small greens and the windy conditions on Hilton Head put a premium on chipping and putting. It took a pair of grinders like these past U.S. Open champions to make it to the top of the leaderboard.

McDowell’s win at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach was his only win on the PGA Tour prior to this win at the Heritage. His last win came at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on the European Tour, in October, 2010.

He did win Tiger Woods’ World Challenge in 2010 and 2012, but that is an unsanctioned tournament.

Simpson won two events in 2011 and then added the 2012 U.S. Open from Olympic Club. It is also interesting to note that McDowell finished runner-up to Simpson at the U.S. Open last year.

McDowell fired a final round 69 to get to nine-under par. He did not make a bogey all day until he three putted from just off the back of the green on the 72nd hole. Simpson posted 71 on Sunday to tie.

Playing No. 18 as the first hole of the playoff, Simpson missed the green to the right. He chose to putt the ball across the fringe and onto the green running the ball five feet past the pin.

McDowell found the green and had a 20 foot uphill putt for birdie. He managed a routine two-putt for his par.

The gusting winds even made putting an adventure and Simpson was not able to make his comeback putt.

With the win McDowell moves to No. 6 in the FedEx Cup Rankings and will improve on his No. 18 spot in the world ranking.