LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 20: J.T. Poston of the United States celebrates after winning the final round of the Shriners Children’s Open 2024 at TPC Summerlin on October 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
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J.T. Poston has won the 2026 Memorial Tournament following a playoff with fellow competitor Ryan Gerard. Poston took the victory on the second playoff hole, making a par while Gerard was unable to match. The win is a significant milestone in Poston’s career, it being his first signature event win as well as Poston’s fourth on the PGA Tour, his first since the Shriners Children’s Open in 2024. Poston held off a star-studded field that included Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose.
The leaders faced long a Sunday as play was suspended during the third round on Saturday after severe storms took aim at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, Jack Nicklaus’ famed venue. Poston and Gerard were stopped on Saturday after only five holes, playing their final thirteen holes of the third round Sunday morning. Gerard played the final six holes of the third round at two over, allowing Poston to start the final round Sunday afternoon as the 54-hole leader.
It was not just Poston and Gerard in the mix on Sunday. While Poston made a birdie on the 18th hole to tie Gerard at 12-under, Wyndham Clark finished just one stroke back at 11-under. Sam Burns and Tommy Fleetwood were just two strokes back at 10-under after both Burns and Fleetwood made bogey on the 17th hole.
Poston and Gerard were tied after 72 holes after Poston’s birdie on 18, sending them to a playoff on the 18th hole. On the first playoff hole, both Poston and Gerard made pars. However, Gerard’s approach on the second playoff hole hit the green in regulation but came up well short of the hole, leading to a three-putt bogey. Poston was able to two-putt for par, ultimately giving him the win.
Poston was scheduled to play a 36-hole qualifier for the U.S. Open tomorrow, commonly referred to as golf’s longest day. However, with his win today Poston’s world ranking earns a spot in the U.S. Open, avoiding back to back 33 and 36 hole days. Poston’s win also earns him spots in the 2026 Open Championship, 2027 Masters Tournament, and 2027 PGA Championship.