McGirt crowned Memorial champion

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  • June 6, 2016

William McGirt claimed his maiden PGA Tour title after he defeated Jon Curran in a playoff to win the Memorial Tournament on Sunday. 

McGirt and Curran both made par on the first playoff hole at the 18th, but McGirt did find himself in a spot of bother until his shot from the deep bunker rolled just a few feet away from the cup. Curran on the other hand had a chance to win the tournament, but missed a 25-foot birdie putt. 

Returning to the 18th for the second playoff hole, McGirt played a brilliant flop shot after his tee shot went over the green and he proceeded to sink a six-foot, tournament-winning par putt. 

Curran struggled on the second playoff hole as he went from the fairway bunker to the gallery. He then pitched long before two-putting for bogey.

McGirt’s win also sees him move to 43rd place on the world rankings, which guarantees him a place at the U.S. Open at Oakmont later this month. 

McGirt had been in a share of the lead heading into the final round and despite carding a one-under-par 71, which only featured a 17-foot birdie putt at the fifth, it was enough to keep him at the summit. 

Curran fired a 70 to jump up two spots and set up a playoff with McGirt. Curran began with a bogey at the first before atoning for his mistake with three birdies. Another bogey at the 12th set him back, but a birdie at the 17th brought him level with McGirt. Had Curran made a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th, he would have won the tournament without having to go through a playoff. 

Dustin Johnson finished in third despite a turbulent round of 71, which consisted of five birdies and four bogeys. 

World number three Rory McIlroy surged up the leaderboard to end the tournament in a tie for fourth following his round of 68. The Ulsterman began by making two birdies on the front nine before making another one at the 11th to start the back nine. Despite making two bogeys over his next three holes, McIlroy bounced back with a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th to 17th. 

World number one Jason Day plunged down the leaderboard after registering a two-over-par 74, which included five birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey at the par-three 12th. The Australian’s disappointing round saw him finish in a tie for 27th, which matched his previous best at the Memorial Tournament. 

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth wrapped up his tournament with a one-over-par 73, which consisted of three birdies, including a 19-foot putt at the 15th, and four bogeys. 

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