Devaughn Robinson was all smiles after winning the Houston City Am
(HGA photo)

Robinson, who plays out of Cypresswood Golf Club, sat in third place as the day started, having posted 69 in the fist two rounds. Kaplan held the halfway lead at 9 under after rounds of 65-68, three shots ahead of 2015 champion Matt Van Zandt, and five ahead of Robinson.

Kaplan's third-round 68 should have padded his lead, but instead Robinson was able to pull within three with his 6-under 65 that featured six birdies and an eagle.

Van Zandt (70) fell five shots back heading into the final round, but posted the low final round, a 69 that put him back into contention until a bogey on the last hole left him one shot out of the playoff.

The scores were higher across the board in the final round, with only four players breaking par. After an opening birdie got him to 13 under for the tournament, Kaplan started to back up, making five bogeys by the 11th hole.

Robinson played steadily, with two birdies against a lone bogey giving him the lead coming down the stretch. But a bogey at the 17th created a three-way tie with one hole to go. Robinson parred the last hole to post 10 under, and then watched as Kaplan parred to join him in the playoff while Van Zandt bogeyed to just miss out.

Chris Causey finished alone in fourth at 5-under 279, while the defending champion Broc Haymon was fifth at 1-under 283.

Robinson hopes to carry the momentum from his victory into the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship; last month he advanced from qualifying at The Woodlands Country Club, shooting a 71 at The Tournament Course.