Miller Wins in Playoff

SUN CITY, Bophuthatswana, Jan. 3— Johnny Miller of the United States defeated Severiano Ballesteros of Spain on the ninth hole of a sudden-death playoff in the $1 million Sun City Classic today and won the richest prize ever offered in golf.

After struggling through two hours of playoff activity, Ballesteros faltered, three-putting on the ninth extra hole for a bogey.

Miller two-putted for his par to capture the $500,000 first prize in the five-man event, played on the Gary Player Country Club cou rse.

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Miller and Ballesteros finished the regulation 72 holes tied at 11-under-par 277. Each shot a 71 over the last 18 holes. Jack Nicklaus missed the playoff by a single stroke. He failed on a short putt to save par of about three feet on the 72d hole and fell out of a tie for the top spot.

Nicklaus was four strokes back of Miller and Ballesteros at the turn, then reeled off a string of three consecutive birdies starting on the 12th, and got a share of the lead with another birdie on the 16th.

Nicklaus finished with a 278 total. Lee Trevino and the host, Gary Player, the only others in the invitational field, were out of the title chase after the second day. Trevino had a 289 and won $110,000. Player had 292 and received $100,000.

Published by: The Associated Press, January 4, 1982