Viewers saw two winners emerge at Verizon Heritage

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Brian Davis earned a spot in the Verizon Heritage playoff after a birdie on the 72nd hole. His approach on the same hole in the playoff missed the green left, forcing a chip from the hazard.

Editor's note: Each week, PGATOUR.COM collects congratulatory e-mails for that tournament's winner. Sunday's finale -- which featured Jim Furyk winning in a playoff and his opponent, Brian Davis, calling a penalty on himself -- certainly touched a chord with our viewers. Here's a sampling of e-mails to two men regarded as winners on Sunday.

Please tell Brian Davis that in my book, he is a champion. Although that reed in no way affected his shot and no one probably would have know, he followed the rules and reported it. An excellent example to my kids -- three cheers, Brian. Bob Mabrey

Please send out the word to all tournament sponsors (forward this e-mail to them, now!) Brian Davis deserves a sponsors exemption (whenever he needs it) for the next two years * after the way he called an infringement on himself in the first playoff hole of the Verizon heritage (* since he would have had a two-year exemption if he had won). Rod Carr

To Brian Davis: Oh what a different world we would live in if honesty were held to the standard you showed today. You're a champ. Tom Cardenas

I have been a golfer for 48 years and have watched countless hours of golf over the years. It has happened before and hopefully will happen again, but what Brian Davis has just done has made me oh so proud. Brian Davis is my man in sports to admire. Thank you so much Brian for renewing my faith our beloved game. I am absolutely sure that Brian will enjoy success in life as he has proven that he is a man of character.

Please pass this along to Brian from one golfer to another, from a man much older than Brian, and a man who will sing Brian's praises every opportunity I get. Brian, you are now my second favorite professional golfer, sorry but Jack will always be my No. 1. I am sure you don't mind being in his company! Good luck in life and golf. Stephen Hodges

Please let Brian Davis know how positively we felt that he would call a penalty on himself in today's match. In this day of athletes who seem to forget their responsibiities to the public, his action was so positive. I've always heard golfers were among the most honest -- Brian proved it today. Carol Gorke

I propose the third Sunday of April from this day forward be called Brian Davis Day! Pazz M.

I was hoping to send a huge thank you and congratulations to Brian Davis. Thank you for your honesty and good example! Valerie Parize

Congratulations to Brian Davis for showing that golf is a game of 'honor.' In what other sport would a participant call a penalty on himself? None! Most would be crying and complaining. Golf fan Bill Bryan in Tappahannock, Va.

Hi. How do I get a message to Brian Davis? In a sports world of - if you can cheat and get away with it, it's a good play - Brian called a penalty on himself that he knew would cost him any chance of getting his first ever PGA TOUR win. He exemplifies what the game of golf has always been about - how you play the game. It's a game of honesty and integrity and he showed all of us watching where those values need to rank in relation to winning and losing.

Although I'm certain that Brian cares, I don't care if he never wins a tournament. To me, he's a grand slam winner!How do I go about letting him know this? Thanks, Allen Sylvia

I almost cried that Brian Davis was honest enough to bring to the attention of officials a possible rules violation. I didn't know who he was before Sunday, but he's honesty personified in my book. Oh that my life would be as carefully examined for the 'small' infractions that, over time, will make up our personal character. Thanks Brian. Joey Somawang

Howdy from this happy teacher in Texas! Re: Brian Davis. This PGA TOUR player is a positive role model for my freshman and sophmore English classes and I appreciate it more than you know. Teaching at a low socio-economic school has its challenges - my students (roughly 45 percent African-American, 45 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Anglo and 5 percent Asian) needs positive role models and unfortunately, most pro athletes out there today do not take this part of their jobs seriously! Please pass the word to Mr. Davis that he is being discussed throughout our school in Arlington, Texas, in all the English classes, all grades! I made a daily grade assignment about him today for all six of my classes. Maybe he gave up a title, but he has earned our admiration and respect. There is no telling how far-reaching the ripple effects will be for his honest and selfless act of athletic integrity. Please tell him that he is bringing respect to the PGA (TOUR) and to his sport, in the eyes of our youth. He deserves to know. Thank you! Elizabeth Hodges

Golf has been great this year. Brian and Phil have been huge for the PGA (TOUR). David Richards

Hi ,Mr. Davis, First I would like to congratulate you on a fantastic golf tournament. My 18-year-old son and I were pulling for you all day. I talk to my son alot about character and integrity being more important than fame and fortune. Yesterday you exemplified those traits and I want to thank you for showing my son a real life example of how to think right, then do right. We had a chance to talk about what "winning" means to a touring pro. Your quick response (under extreme pressure) to do what was right is a powerful example. Thank you Mr. Davis !! Golf needs guys like you. May God bless you and your family, and may great things come your way. Paul Jacobs

Hey Brian, Please do not hit the reply key as I know you have thousands of emails regarding what happened today in the playoff in your in-box. I will use what you did as an example for my kids about the discipline it takes to have integrity. What you did will not only go down in sports history as one of the single most incredible displays of sportsmanship of all time, but also an act that shows young people the 'default' should always be the high road. That's what you did today, Brian. The record book will show you were the runner-up in the 2010 Heritage -- in the minds of anyone who witnessed what you did today you are a champion! I will never forget it. Mark Johnson of Boise, Idaho

P.S. Hopefully, it also laid the ground work to get a ridiculous rule in our game changed. I'm not certain the replay showed anything but wind moving the twig -- but I digress. You are a champion.

Wow! I am so elated to see such honesty in a sports personality! Brian Davis is the type of role model kids need! That is the type of man I want my son to grow up to be!! Tina Culp

What Brian Davis did on Sunday in calling a two-stroke penalty on himself shows golf to be the one professional sport where there remains a true code of honor. Please let Brian know that we are very proud of his actions in maintaining that code and will not forget what his actions mean to those of us associated with the sport whether as pros or duffers. Lanny Passaro

I am a PGA member and have been in the business since 1961. I would like to communicate with Brian Davis concerning his wonderfully important decision at Harbor Town. ... His actions at this time were important to the image of the PGA TOUR, and golf in general. Alsie Hynden of Oklahoma City

Please go overboard with the Brian Davis story. His integrity needs to be noted and modeled. I almost cried when I saw what he did. ... Joe Sheedy

Congratulations Jim. That was a very classy move by Davis calling that penalty on himself. -- David Pilkus

Dear Jim: Great tournament! Great win! Kudos to Mr. Davis for upholding the honor of the game! I know what (a) win would have meant to him. He did the right thing even though it cost him dearly. Give him a hug for me!! Bill Heatley

Congratulations Jim on your victory and a great week of golf. Hope to see you in person at this year's Byron and Colonial -- you are one of my TOUR favorites. Warmest regards to you and your family from the Smith family here in Van Alstyne, Texas. Sincerely, Tom Smith

P.S. In today's culture of win at any cost and "just win baby," what a breath of fresh air with Brian immediately calling a penalty on himself for touching the reed in his backswing. That's why I follow PGA TOUR golf and really nothing else anymore. I'd like to think how you play the game still means something to somebody. Well done, my friends. Again, hope to see you both in the DFW swing.

Jim, Please accept my congratulations on your win, a well-deserved one. And I also want to congratulate Brian Davis on his play throughout the weekend and his respect for the game. When he called a penalty on himself during the playoff he demonstrated what makes a "great professional" -- in the face of adversity and knowing full well the probable result of his action, he did what "was right," and I applaud him and laud him for that. Congratulations to both of you on a game well played. Cash Calaway, Grapevine, Texas

Congratulations on a great win. Also, please allow me to send kudos to Mr. Davis for honoring the game. You both should be very proud. Bill Perry

Congrats, Jim! Nice victory, steady solid play all week. A class act by Davis to call the penalty on himself. A great representation for Srixon. Peter Bogart

My heart goes out to Brian Davis for his unfortunate loss, but mostly for his honor of what he did. Congrats, Jim, on the win and look forward to watching you all year, as well as all the pros, including Brian whom I'm sure will bounce back. "A gentleman's game," it certainly is. James Waller.