J.T. Poston goes wire-to-wire to win John Deere Classic, seal spot in the Open Championship

SILVIS, Ill. — 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 Open Championship.

Three strokes ahead entering the day at TPC Deere Run, Poston closed with a 2-under 69 for a 3-stroke margin over fellow Open qualifiers Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Emiliano Grillo.

Poston is the third wire-to-wire winner in tournament history, following Scott Hoch in 1980 and David Frost in 1992. The 29-year-old player from Hickory, North Carolina, 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-to-wire, 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 [a] 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 Open is July 14-17 at the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

“I can’t wait,” Poston said. “I’ve always wanted to play in one of those…