SEOGWIPO, South Korea -- American star Justin Thomas won the first PGA Tour event held in South Korea in a playoff Sunday.

Thomas won the inaugural CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges at the Club at Nine Bridges on the southern resort island of Jeju thanks to a birdie on the second playoff hole against Marc Leishman.

This was the seventh career PGA victory for Thomas, the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year and money winner, and his first win in a playoff.

Thomas and Leishman ended the regulation tied at nine-under 279. They both parred the par-five 18th in their first try in the playoff, and Thomas clinched the title after reaching the 18th green in two and two-putted for the birdie.

Leishman dunked his second shot into water in the second playoff hole en route to a bogey.

Thomas started the day in a share of the lead with Scott Brown at nine-under. Leishman was two strokes behind.

Thomas had a double bogey at the third hole in an up-and-down round of 72, which also included four birdies and two bogeys. He birdied the 18th to get into the playoff against Leishman.

Leishman went out in 36 with three birdies against three bogeys, before picking up three birdies and a bogey.

Kim Meen-whee was the top South Korean at six-under 282, good for the sole possession of fourth place. He carded a 72 Sunday. (Yonhap)