The Memorial Tournament: JT Poston beats Ryan Gerrard on second playoff hole as Tommy Fleetwood closes final day | golf news

JT Poston defeated Ryan Gerrard in a playoff to win The Memorial Tournament after a thrilling final round in Ohio on Sunday evening.

54-hole leader Poston earned the biggest win of his career on the second playoff hole when Gerrard missed a tricky six-footer to keep the contest alive.

Poston had earlier recovered to post birdies on three of the last five holes from holes 12 and 13 — including a clutch seven-foot putt on No. 18 after a great approach shot — to move the tournament into a playoff.

He produced a similarly impressive approach shot to set up an eight-foot birdie putt for victory on the first playoff hole, but fluffed his lines.

However, it was Gerrard’s turn to miss a crucial putt on the second extra hole and Poston made no mistake from three feet to secure victory, a $4 million winner’s check and a spot in next month’s Open Championship.

Speaking after his victory in an event founded by Jack Nicklaus, Poston said: “It was a lot of holes and a lot of it.

“I didn’t play my best 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, whatever it was.

“I’m thrilled that it happened this way.”

How Poston saw Fleetwood, Clarke and more

Poston went into the final round with a four-shot lead, which he built up earlier Sunday when players returned to complete the third round that was interrupted Saturday evening when storms hit the tracks.

Poston rattled off three straight birdies to move to 12 under par after three rounds, but that form left him in the final round as he posted four bogeys in the first 13 holes.

This allowed the chasing pack to close as Tommy Fleetwood, Wyndham Clarke and Sam Barnes all battled for the lead with Gerrard and Poston in the closing stages of the regulation game.

Fleetwood briefly moved into a solo lead with a brilliant eagle on the 15th, but a bogey at the 17th – where he failed to find the fairway – saw his hopes dimmed.

The Englishman finished at 10 under in a tie for fourth after his final round 68.

He shared the spot with Barnes, who saw a monster putt fall agonizingly short to save par on 17, effectively ending his hopes.

Clarke was five under in the final round and finished a shot behind Poston and Gerrard in third place.

Gerrard began the final round four shots behind partner Poston, but on Sunday afternoon racked up five birdies, including a spectacular 37-foot putt on the 17th, and seemingly moved within touching distance of glory.

However, he couldn’t make a shot at the 18th in regulation play or over the two playoff holes, and he would leave Ohio disappointed.

It left the door open for Poston to claim his fourth PGA Tour victory and his first since 2024.

Earlier, Scotty Scheffler, who was trying to match Tiger Woods by winning the Memorial three years in a row, started the final round nine shots behind and carded two birdies and a bogey to finish at 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 birdied five of the first six holes and saw his momentum halted by a bogey at the seventh. He finished the day four-under-par and joined Scheffler, Justin Rose, JJ Spahn and Adam Scott in a tie for 12th.

What next?

The PGA Tour heads to Toronto for the RBC Canadian Open at Osprey Valley with Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose and defending champion Ryan Fox in the field. Early coverage starts from 12pm on Thursday 11 June 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 from Great Britain and Ireland take on the USA. Get Sky Sports or Flow without any contract.