Iles loses play-off in Tennessee

New Zealand golfer Bradley Iles remarkable resurgence at the Nationwide tour's Knoxville Open has been stymied in a play-off for the title with American Kevin Johnson in Tennessee today.

Iles carded a superb nine-under 63 in the final round at the Fox Den Country Club to hold the clubhouse lead until Johnson's 4-under 68 saw the pair duel over two extra holes.

The pair birdied the 18th but when the par-5 hole was attacked a second time Johnson managed a birdie to claim the $US94,500 ($NZ150,00) winner's cheque after Iles could only make par.

Iles recorded a 20-under four-round total of 268. His 63 was a seven-shot improvement on his penultimate round.