Chris Gotterup of the United States, the "monster" long hitter, has claimed the title at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, which carried a total purse of $8.8 million.
Gotterup delivered a torrid round Saturday at TPC Deere Run (par 71) in Silvis, Illinois, sweeping up nine birdies without a single bogey in the final round of the tournament. Finishing with a total of 20-under-par 264, Gotterup edged out runner-up Max Homa of the United States (19-under 265) by one stroke.
Gotterup captured his third victory of the season, following the Sony Open in January and the Phoenix Open in February. It marks his fifth career win. The winner's prize was $1,584,000 (about 2.4 billion won). Gotterup's specialty is long driving. This season, he has averaged 322.1 yards off the tee, ranking fourth in the driving distance category.
Ben Coles of the United States, who was in contention for the title, was tied with Gotterup through the 17th hole and hoped for a win or a playoff. But he sent his second shot into the water on the 18th hole (par 4), carding a double bogey and dropping to a tie for third (18-under 266).
Kim Joo-hyung failed to reduce his score with three birdies and three bogeys, finishing at 9-under for a tie for 46th. His FedEx Cup ranking, which was 57th, slipped one spot to 58th. To play in the St. Jude Championship, the first leg of the PGA Tour playoffs, Kim must be inside the top 70.
Im Sung-jae finished the tournament tied for 71st at 3-under after a struggling round in which he lost five strokes.
