Byrd, who played three years with Glover at nearby Clemson University and has competed against him since they were 10 year olds, forced the play-off with a birdie at the 18th to finish the regulation 72 holes locked at 15-under-par.
Returning to the 18th, Byrd hit his tee shot into a fairway bunker on the right and then pulled his approach left into rough just behind a creek running alongside the green.
His pitch ran well past the hole and he two-putted for bogey, while Glover safely two-putted for par to end his title drought 41 tournaments after his major triumph at Bethpage Black.
Glover, who relied on his putting to make up for erratic play off the tee, shot a final-round of 3-under 69, while Byrd posted a par 72.
One stroke behind the two Americans was South African Rory Sabbatini, who surged into contention with seven birdies in a flawless 65 to reach 14-under.
"I putted great," said the bearded Glover, who did not have a single three-putt in the tournament.
"The key for me, especially here, is I made a lot of five to eight-footers for par to keep the rounds going."
The victory gave the 31-year-old Glover his third PGA Tour title.
In fourth place on 13-under, was Bill Haas, followed by fellow American Kevin Na another shot back.
Former Masters champion Zach Johnson made two eagles on par-fours to post a 4-under 68 and tie for sixth on 277 for his first top 10 of the year.
Another shot away in a group on 278 were Phil Mickelson (69) and Ireland's Padraig Harrington (68).
-Reuters
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