Overnight co-leader J.T. Poston completed his third round in the morning to move into the lead and increased it to four shots on the front nine with a pair of birdies. Three more followed as well as a single bogey at the 17th for a 67 to reach 22-under and win his third PGA Tour title in his 216th start at the Shriners Children’s Open.
“It’s never easy winning out here on Tour,” said the American. Today was no different. I had a few holes to finish the third round this morning, and my goal was to try and snag the lead and maybe even build on it before the end of the third round. Was able to do that, which was great.
“Then obviously got off to a great start in the final round. A dream scenario start, but from then on it felt a little bit scrapie and trying to be aggressive and smart because guys were making birdies. Thankfully was just enough there at the end.”
Poston entered the week with four top-10s in 23 starts this season, but none since the RBC Heritage (T5) and finished inside the top 50 in the FedExCup for the third consecutive season (No. 41/2024, No. 39/2023, No. 15/2022).
American Doug Ghim who shared the overnight lead with Poston when play was suspended shot a final-round bogey-free 65 featuring an eagle at the par-5 9th to finish second at 21-under, his best-career finish in his 141st start on the PGA Tour.
“I did everything I could obviously,” said Ghim. “Haven’t had the best history so far in final rounds and final groups, so it’s definitely going to be a little badge on my chest I guess in a sense that the next time I get in position I’ll have that in my memory bank of knowing I’ve done it before.”
At the end of the day you’re trying to beat the leader in the final round and I did that. Just came up one short. Yeah, proud of the effort.
Germany’s Matti Schmid posts his third-career top-5 finish on Tour and his second in as many weeks (5th/Black Desert Championship) after closing with a 66 featuring an eagle at the par-5 13th for a share of third place at 19-under.
Rookie Rico Hoey from the Philippines birdied four of his final six holes for his share of third place, his fourth top-10 finish in his 27th start this season.
American Michael Kim posted a 62 to tie his career-low round on Tour (2023 Wyndham Championship/R3) and recorded a career-high 10 birdies in a round (2024 American Express/R2) for a share of fifth place at 18-under alongside compatriot Davis Thompson who carded a 66.
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Nos. 1-50 in the FedExCup standings through the Tour Championship are locked in their positions, while Nos. 51 and beyond carry their FedExCup points into the Fall. Nos. 51-60 through the FedExCup Fall will qualify for two Signature Events in 2025: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational. No players moved into Nos. 51-60 this week.
The Top 125 will be exempt into all Full-Field events and The Players next season and Nos. 126-150 will earn full Korn Ferry Tour status and conditional status on Tour next season.
