J.T. Poston overcame Ryan Gerard in a play-off to win The Memorial Tournament after a thrilling final round in Ohio on Sunday evening.
The 54-hole leader Poston clinched the biggest victory of his career at the second play-off hole after Gerard missed a tricky six-footer to keep the contest alive.
Poston had earlier recovered from bogeys at holes 12 and 13 to post birdies on three of the last five holes – including a clutch seven-foot putt at the 18th after a brilliant approach shot – to take the tournament to a play-off.
He produced a similarly impressive approach shot to set up an eight-foot birdie putt for victory on the first play-off hole, but fluffed his lines.
However, at the second extra hole it was Gerard’s turn to miss a crucial putt and Poston made no mistake from three feet to secure victory, the $4million winner’s cheque and a spot at next month’s Open Championship.
Speaking after his victory at an event founded by Jack Nicklaus, Poston said: “That was a lot of holes and a lot of grit.
“I didn’t play my best over the first 13 holes but I knew I was going to shake Jack Nicklaus’ hand walking off the 18th green and I wanted to be proud of that handshake, regardless of how it tuned out.
“I’m thrilled it happened this way.”
How Poston saw off Fleetwood, Clark and more
Tommy Fleetwood was briefly in the lead after the 15th hole at the Memorial Tournament
Poston went into the final round with a four-shot lead, which he built earlier on Sunday when players returned to complete the third round which had been paused when storms hit the course on Saturday evening.
Poston ran off three straight birdies to move to 12 under par after round three, but that form deserted him in the final round as he posted four bogeys in the first 13 holes.
That allowed the chasing pack to close in as Tommy Fleetwood, Wyndham Clark and Sam Burns all tussled for the lead with Gerard and Poston over the closing stages in regulation play.
Fleetwood had briefly surged into the solo lead with a brilliant eagle at the 15th, but a bogey at the 17th – where he failed to find the fairway – saw his hopes fade.
The Englishman finished on 10 under in a tie for fourth after his final-round 68.
He shared that place with Burns, who saw a monster putt fall agonisingly short to save par at the 17th, effectively ending his hopes.
Clark was five under for the final round to finish one shot behind Poston and Gerard in solo third.
Ryan Gerard celebrates a huge putt on the 17th which saw him move into the lead at The Memorial
Gerard started the final round four shots behind playing partner Poston, but picked up five birdies on Sunday afternoon including a spectacular 37-foot putt at the 17th to move into the outright lead and seemingly within touching distance of glory.
However, he couldn’t pick up a shot at the 18th in either regulation play or over the two play-off holes and he will leave Ohio frustrated.
That left the door open for Poston to claim his fourth PGA Tour victory and his first since 2024.
Earlier, Scottie Scheffler, who was trying to match Tiger Woods by winning the Memorial for three years in a row, started the final round nine shots behind and carded two birdies and a bogey to finish on four-under for the tournament.
That score was matched by Rory McIlroy, who was out of contention after the first three days, but opened his final round in spectacular fashion
He produced birdies on five of first six holes before seeing his momentum stalled by a bogey at the seventh. He finished the day four-under-par and joined Scheffler, Justin Rose, JJ Spaun and Adam Scott in a tie for 12th.
What’s next?
The PGA Tour heads to Toronto for The RBC Canadian Open at Osprey Valley where Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose and defending champion Ryan Fox are in the field. Early coverage begins on Thursday June 11 from 12pm on Sky Sports Golf.
More live golf on Sky Sports next week includes the LPGA Tour’s Dow Championship and the Curtis Cup, as the best female amateurs in Great Britain and Ireland take on the USA. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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