Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
JT Poston won the Memorial Tournament on Sunday after defeating fellow American Ryan Gerard in a dramatic playoff at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio. Poston birdied the final hole of regulation to force extra holes before securing victory with a par on the second playoff hole, finishing off a marathon day that included 33 holes of golf. The win matters because it delivers Poston his fourth PGA Tour title and his first victory since the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open.
Poston entered the final round with a four shot advantage but watched that lead disappear during a tense afternoon packed with leaderboard changes.
His response came at the perfect moment.
A seven foot birdie putt at the 18th in regulation pulled him level with Gerard at 12 under and extended the tournament.
“A lot of holes. A lot of grit,” Poston said.
“Didn’t play my best 13 holes to start the last round but told myself I knew I was going to shake Jack’s hand walking off the 18th green and I wanted to be proud of that handshake.”
Poston survives playoff pressure
The playoff returned players to the 18th hole for repeated tests under pressure.
Both players made par on the opening extra hole.
The second playoff hole created more drama after both missed the fairway.
Gerard faced a long birdie attempt from almost 54 feet and rolled his effort to around six feet.
Poston then left himself work to do after his birdie putt finished more than three feet beyond the cup.
Gerard missed his par attempt to the right.
Poston then calmly converted his short comeback putt to secure victory.
“It was a fun ending. I made it interesting,” Poston told tournament host Jack Nicklaus after the finish.
The victory completed an emotional week for the 33 year old.
“A lot of hard work. A lot of people believing in me when I may not have myself,” Poston said.
“Hard to believe. I haven’t played my best but I felt it was trending.”
Gerard pushes winner all the way
Gerard looked ready to secure the biggest victory of his career after producing one of the moments of the tournament at the 17th.
His birdie putt from just inside 37 feet dropped to move him into the outright lead late in the final round.
The American finished with a four under 68 and posted 12 under 276.
That score briefly looked enough before Poston answered immediately at the final hole.
Gerard fought throughout the playoff but ultimately fell one shot short.
His performance continued a strong stretch of golf and confirmed his ability to compete deep into PGA Tour events.
Crowded leaderboard creates chaotic finish
The final round featured constant movement among a tightly packed group of contenders.
Poston, Gerard and Sam Burns shared the lead at 10 under after Poston made bogey at the par three 12th.
Tommy Fleetwood briefly moved ahead after producing one of the shots of the day at the par five 15th.
The Englishman hit his second shot from around 240 yards to within five feet before converting the eagle putt.
Soon after, Gerard, Poston and Burns all birdied the same hole while Wyndham Clark added birdies at 15 and 16.
At one stage, five players shared the lead.
Fleetwood and Burns both lost momentum with bogeys at 17.
Gerard’s long birdie putt then appeared decisive before Poston extended the tournament.
Marathon Sunday after weather delays
Poston’s long day began earlier in the morning when players completed the storm delayed third round.
He played 13 holes before the final round even started.
During that stretch, Poston made five birdies and two bogeys to build a four shot advantage.
The afternoon proved more difficult.
His lead gradually disappeared across the opening 12 holes before he recovered late.
Despite not recording a top 20 finish earlier this season, Poston stayed composed when it mattered most.
Scheffler and McIlroy finish outside contention
World number one Scottie Scheffler finished on four under after shooting 71.
Scheffler now turns attention toward the US Open at Shinnecock where he will attempt to complete a career Grand Slam.
Rory McIlroy also ended on four under after a 68 that included birdies on five of his opening six holes.
Defending US Open champion JJ Spaun joined them on the same score following a final round 72.
The tournament ultimately belonged to Poston, who turned a difficult afternoon into one of the biggest victories of his career.