Ryan Moore hangs on to Saturday lead, wins John Deere Classic by 2 strokes
SILVIS, Ill.— In the end, Ryan Moore won the John Deere Classic with his gritty play on Saturday. No one really challenged him in Sunday’s final round at TPC Deere Run as he led throughout for a two-stroke victory over playing partner Ben Martin.
Moore wasn’t fazed by birdie binges from Morgan Hoffmann and Martin during a long Saturday, one in which many of the players – Moore included – had to play nearly two rounds after numerous rain delays wreaked havoc with the tournament schedule.
It was smoother sailing for Moore on Sunday, however, as he upped a one-stroke lead at the start of the final 18 to three shots on the front nine, thanks to birdies at Nos. 2, 4 and 9. Sinking a tricky 24-foot putt at the fourth was key.
“It was important to show the guys behind me that I’m not here to mess around, that I was here to play,’’ said Moore. His lead grew to five when Moore made his last birdie at No. 10 and Hoffmann took a bogey at No. 11.
Martin then made three birdies in a row at Nos. 12-14 to cut his own deficit against Moore to two but Moore’s eight consecutive pars to finish the round were all he needed to capture his fifth win on the PGA Tour and first since 2014.
“When I had a five-shot lead I knew that wasn’t safe on this golf course,’’ said Moore. “I played so steady the whole week.’’
With the victory, Moore jumped from No. 62 to No. 23 on the FedEx Cup points standings, and from 33 to 23 on the Ryder Cup points list.
After next weekend’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., the points race will conclude the following weekend at the Barclays on the Bethpage Black course in Farmington, N.Y.
Moore, who played the last 46 holes of the tournament without making a bogey, shot 67 in the final round to post a 22-under-par 262 for the 72 holes, two strokes better than Martin, who finished with a 68.
Korean Wee Kim and Hoffman were another three shots back in a tie for third. Moore earned $864,000 from a purse of $4.8 million.
“Hats off to (Moore),’’ said Martin. “I don’t think he ever really sniffed a bogey. He did what you’re supposed to do when you play with the lead on Sunday. I got to see golf the way you’re supposed to play it from him all day.’’
Of the early starters, only Adam Hadwin and Kevin Na maintained significant challenges. Both shot 64 but needed to make up much more ground than that. Peter Malnati also created some excitement, getting to 10-under for the day in his first 16 holes. Needing an eagle-birdie finish for a 59, Malnati faded fast with a triple bogey eight at No. 17 and a bogey at No. 18.