It never comes easy on the PGA Tour, but J.T. Poston managed to hang on to win the Shriners Children’s Open on Sunday in Las Vegas.
He carded a 4-under 67, as his four-footer for par on the 18th hole secured his win over Doug Ghim by a stroke. Ghim, who began his round three back of Poston, shot a 6-under 65 and made a tremendous effort at trying to snatch a come-from-behind victory. He even made birdies on two of his final three holes to make Poston sweat—and sweat he did. Poston missed a four-footer for par on the par-3 17th, which opened up an opportunity for Ghim on the 18th. It also placed a mountain of pressure on Poston’s shoulders.
So after Ghim holed his six-footer for birdie on the 18th, Poston briefly held a one-shot lead. A four-footer for par sat between him and his third career win on the PGA Tour—the definition of a knee-knocker.
“I told myself this is what you dream of,” Poston said of his final putt.
“You got a putt to win on the PGA Tour. Just try to forget about the last two. Didn’t make very good strokes on either of them. I told myself I have made a million of these and just do one more.”
Before his miss on the 17th, Poston could not get a six-footer for birdie to drop. The former Western Carolina standout saw his putter go cold at the worst of times.
“Kind of felt like a grind all day,” Poston added.
“I know I had a comfortable lead for most of the day, but it never felt safe. Doug was playing great, and I felt like I was just plotting it around.”
Poston qualified for the BMW Championship in August and finished the regular season ranked 41st in the FedEx Cup standings. Therefore, this win at TPC Summerlin does not do anything for his 2025 playing status—it is already secured. He will play in all eight Signature Events next year. But that does not takeaway from how memorable this win is. It marks his first victory as a father, something he will never forget.
“It means a lot. I worked hard. Worked hard for all three of [my career wins], but this one definitely is pretty sweet,” Poston added.
“We’ve had a great fall at home. Had a nice break at the end of the Playoffs. Yeah, just being at home and being a dad has been the greatest gift. I’ve absolutely loved it. Yeah, this is pretty sweet.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.