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.

«It is hard,» Poston said. «Wire-to-wire, having the lead for so long that it's just hard not to think about that fine line all week. I tried to stick to the game plan.»

Poston finished at 21-under 263. He opened with rounds of 62, 65 and 67.

Bezuidenhout shot a 66, and Grillo had a 69.

«I just knew I needed a solid week,» Grillo said. «I just needed to play well and go up the rankings and have a job for next year. That was more important for me than going to the Open. Now I get both, so that's pretty special.»

Christopher Gotterup, the former Rutgers player in the field on a sponsor exemption, had a 66 to tie for fourth at 17 under with Scott Stallings (70).

«Just more validation that I do belong out here,» Gotterup said. «And honestly, I didn't have my greatest stuff this week. Hit it amazing, but just putted pretty poorly until coming down the stretch.»

Poston birdied the first three holes, 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.»

The 29-year-old player from