LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA (AFP) - Australia's Jason Day parred the second hole of a four-man sudden-death play-off to win the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Sunday.

With his third USPGA Tour triumph, the 27-year-old Day will rise from world No. 8 to No. 4, overtaking Adam Scott to become the top-ranked Australian.

He out-lasted J.B. Holmes - who fell short with a bogey at the second play-off hole - as well as Harris English and defending champion Scott Stallings, both eliminated at the first extra hole.

"It's an amazing feeling because I've been working so hard for this. I just kept visualising myself holding the trophy this week," Day said. "I just said, I'm not going to stop, I'm not going to stop. I'm just really proud of myself to be able to hang in there and grind it out."

Day's tee shot at the second extra hole, the par-three 16th on the Torrey Pines South Course, flew straight over the flagstick and left him a long birdie attempt. His putt went right, but left him a tap-in for par. Holmes, meanwhile, flew the green and after chipping on was unable to convert his par attempt.

Day, Holmes, Stallings and English all finished 72 holes on nine-under-par 279. Day carded a final-round 70, Stallings a 69 while Holmes and English, who shared the overnight lead, carded even-par 72s.

The biggest names in the field did not make it to the weekend. Former world number one Tiger Woods limped off with back trouble after 11 holes of the first round on Thursday, and five-time Majors champion Phil Mickelson missed the cut.