ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.— A late win gives Heath Slocum an early start next year.

Slocum was among those at the McGladrey Classic who faces the least amount of pressure in the Fall Series. He already is exempt after winning The Barclays last year. He is well within the top 70 on the money list, meaning he gets into all the invitationals. He was playing Sea Island because his goal every year is to win a tournament.

It could not have worked out any better.

Slocum used a series of short birdie putts to built a three-shot lead on the front nine Sunday, then emerged from a suddenly crowded leaderboard with a 60-foot birdie putt from just off the back of the 16th green.

Slocum took a bogey on the 18th hole and still won. He closed with a 2-under 68 and finished one shot ahead of Bill Haas.