LAS VEGAS — J.T. Poston showcased an impressive round at the Shriners Children’s Open, utilizing a series of birdies to establish a significant advantage throughout the day. His performance included a steady 4-under 67, resulting in a narrow one-shot win on Sunday. The victory came after a full 54 holes where Poston maintained a three-shot lead.
Poston’s strong play began when he sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the 14th as he returned to finish the third round, marking the start of his commanding lead. He added two more birdies during that round, finishing with a score of 66, which solidified his position going into the final day.
During the final round, he made three birdies over a four-hole stretch on the back nine and was leading by four strokes with just three holes remaining. However, he still faced pressure as the event approached its conclusion. Doug Ghim, finishing with an excellent 65, closed the gap by making a critical 6-foot birdie on the last hole, landing just a stroke behind Poston. In his final moments, Poston lagged his lengthy 45-foot birdie putt to four feet and confidently made the shorter putt to secure his third title on the PGA Tour.
Despite his success, Poston had to contend with added moments of tension, having missed both a 6-foot birdie putt on the 16th and a short 4-foot par putt on the 17th, which could have clinched the win earlier. Reflecting on the final putt for victory, Poston said, “I just told myself, ‘This is what you dream of, a putt to win on the PGA Tour. Try to forget the last two.’ I reminded myself, ‘I’ve made a million of these. Just do one more.’”
This win secures Poston’s spot at the Masters for the third consecutive year and brings him back into the top 50 of the world rankings. He returned to competitive play following the BMW Championship, eager to spend time with his newborn daughter.
For the 31-year-old from North Carolina, this victory also ensures his participation in the prestigious $20 million signature events, having already achieved a top 50 finish in the FedEx Cup. This places him well for an early start at Kapalua for The Sentry in the new season.
Ghim’s performance was commendable as he registered his best finish on the PGA Tour with this runner-up placement. He had opportunities to close the gap, notably making an eagle on the par-5 ninth to come within one but missed several crucial birdie putts on subsequent holes, which allowed Poston to maintain his lead.
Matti Schmid continued his impressive form in the FedEx Cup Fall series, finishing with a 66, tying for third alongside Rico Hoey, who also shot a 66. Schmid, previously ranked No. 125, is now position 77 while rallying in the standings after recent good performances.
Another notable performance came from Michael Kim, who recorded a remarkable 62 to tie for fifth, which improved his position in the FedEx Cup rankings from No. 129 to No. 112.
Even though he enjoyed a lengthy streak of 41 holes without a bogey until the miss on the 17th hole, Poston expressed that the day felt challenging. “I wasn’t quite as sharp with the scoring clubs,” he stated. “It felt like a grind all day. I know I had a comfortable lead, but I never felt safe. Doug was playing great and I felt like I was just plodding around.”
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour will head to Japan for the Zozo Championship, featuring a 78-player field with no cuts, before returning to North America for the remaining tournaments of the season.