Tommy Fleetwood let slip a one-shot advantage to finish fourth and lose out to JT Poston at the rain-affected Memorial Tournament.
Round three at Muirfield Village had to be completed on Sunday morning, but Poston’s four-stroke lead was soon wiped out and an eagle for Fleetwood at the 15th hole put him out in front in the home straight.
It was followed two holes later by a bogey and Fleetwood could only watch on as Poston and Ryan Gerard finished two shots ahead on 12 under par before Poston held his nerve after two holes in the play-off.
All eyes at the start of the week in Ohio had been on Masters champion Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who was trying to equal Tiger Woods’ feat of winning this tournament three years in a row.
Ultimately, McIlroy and Scheffler had to settle for a share of joint-12th after they closed on four under following a final round of 68 and 71 respectively.
Play on Saturday was halted with Poston and Gerard both on nine under on the sixth green, but the former improved his total to 12 under once round three was concluded on Sunday morning.
Gerard was four shots back while Sam Burns was third on seven under, with Fleetwood and American Wyndham Clark making up the top five on six under.
McIlroy started his final round with three consecutive birdies, but trouble lay further ahead and Poston remained leader until a dramatic back nine.
A birdie for Burns at the ninth and bogey for Poston increased the pressure and soon enough it was a four-way share of the leader until Fleetwood’s eagle at the 15th.
It was short-lived with Clark able to join Fleetwood on 11 under before a bogey by the Englishman meant he carded 68 to finish on 10 under.
Gerard went out alone with a stunning 37-feet putt, but Poston held his nerve on the 18th with a birdie to force a play-off.
The 482-yard par-four 18th hole was required for the play-off and although both recorded par at the first time of asking, Gerard needed five shots next and Poston clinched his first win of 2026.
PA
