John Deere Classic Champion Ryan Moore
Ryan Moore won the John Deere Classic for his
fifth PGA Tour title, closing with a 4-under 67 for a two-stroke
victory over Ben Martin today.
The 33-year-old Moore finished at 22-under 262 at TPC Deere Run,
playing the final 46 holes without a bogey and making only one in
72 holes. He won for the first time since successfully defending
his CIMB Classic title in Malaysia in 2014.
Martin had three straight back-nine birdies in a 68.
South Korea's Whee Kim shot 67 to tie for third with Morgan
Hoffmann (71) at 17 under.
Moore birdied Nos. 2, 4, 9 and 10 and closed with eight pars. He
had a five-stroke lead when Hoffmann bogeyed the 12th hole. Martin,
playing with Moore in the final twosome, birdied Nos. 12-14, but
couldn't get closer than two strokes. Martin parred his last four
holes, and Hoffmann his final six.
Moore hit 13 of 14 fairways in the final round and 14 of 18 greens
in regulation, including the 18th, which he two-putted from 47 feet
for the victory. He opened with three straight 65s in the event
thrown off schedule by rain Thursday and Friday.
Jordan Spieth chose not to defend his title because he didn't think
it would be appropriate in light of his decision to skip the Rio
Olympics.
The win for Moore was worth $864,000 and a John Deere Gator.
Next year's John Deere Classic moves back to its normal date during the 2nd week of July.