POSTON GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE
J.T. Poston completed a wire-to-wire victory Sunday in the John Deere Classic for his second PGA Tour title and a spot in the British Open.
Three strokes ahead entering the day at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., Poston closed with a 2-under 69 for a three-stroke margin over fellow British Open qualifiers Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Emiliano Grillo.
Poston is the third wireto-wire winner in tournament history, following Scott Hoch in 1980 and David Frost in 1992. The 29-yearold player from Hickory, N.C., finished at 21-under 263. He opened 62-65-67.
“It’s just tough to play with the lead,” Poston said. “There is just a little bit of added pressure. Wire-towire, pretty much having the lead from Thursday on, I told all the media after every round that I was just trying to stick to my game plan and I wasn’t going to think about it.
“The truth is it’s hard not to think about the finish line and what comes with it, all that comes with getting win out here. As much as you try and put that aside and not think about it, it’s tough not to.”
Poston birdied the first three holes Sunday, bogeyed Nos. 5 and 6 and parred the next 10. He made a 4-footer for birdie on the par-5 17th and parred the 18th.
“I was just trying to breathe,” Poston said. “I was really. I think there were a lot of nerves, a lot more than the first few days. I was just battling through them. I think after today, after this week, I feel like knowing I can play with those nerves and I can still win, still shoot a solid score considering the pressure and trying to win out here.”
Poston won a week after tying for second in Connecticut in the Travelers Championship. He also won the 2019 Wyndham Championship.
“They don’t come easy out here and I really wanted to get that second win to sort of validate Wyndham,” Poston said. “So, it feels good to get it out of the way.”
The British Open is July 14-17 at the Old Course at St. Andrews.
“I can’t wait,” Poston said. “I’ve always wanted to play in one of those at any venue, but first one to be in St. Andrews and the 150th, I can’t wait to get there and see what it’s like.”
Bezuidenhout shot a 66, and Grillo had a 69.
“I just knew I needed a solid week,” Grillo said.
Elsewhere
Adrian Meronk became Poland’s first winner on the European tour Sunday with a superb closing stretch at Mount Juliet in Thomastown, Ireland, for a 6-under 66 and a three-shot victory in the Irish Open.
Meronk was one shot behind Ryan Fox of New Zealand with four holes remaining when he went birdiebirdie-eagle to give himself room for error on the tough closing hole. He made par and walked off the 18th green soaked in a champagne celebration.
Meronk, who finished at 20-under 268, Fox and Thriston Lawrence (67) already were exempt for the British Open. The three spots available from the Irish Open went to American John of Scotland
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