Ryan Moore, the man they call “RyMo” on the PGA Tour, looked like he’d have an easy time Sunday at the John Deere Classic but things are never easy on the PGA Tour.
Moore, the overnight leader, came out with three front nine birdies then added a fourth at the par five 10th hole at the TPC River Highlands. Moore, the former U.S. Amateur champion, found himself with a five-shot lead and only eight holes to play.
But playing partner Ben Martin made a match of it when he rolled off three straight birdies starting at the 12th hole.
“Ben had been playing great all week and he showed he can rattle off birdies,” said Moore, who held off Martin’s challenge with eight straight pars to shoot 67 for a 22-under par winning total to runnerup Martin’s 20-under effort.
“I’m not a guy who can overpower a course with distance physically,” Moore pointed out. He got his fifth PGA Tour victory by hitting fairways and greens and making putts when he needed them. He closed it out by going 46 holes without a bogey.
Morgan Hoffman and Whee Kim, two players who find themselves fighting to get into the top 125 to make the playoffs in two weeks, finished tied for third at 17-under par.
