Chris Gotterup captured the John Deere Classic on Sunday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Ben Kohles, who co-led entering the final hole, hit his approach shot into the water and finished tied for third.
Gotterup secured his third PGA Tour victory of the year and fifth overall. The 27-year-old earned $1.58 million and moved to seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Kohles, 36, had led after 71 holes but faced a tough choice between clubs on the 72nd hole. He attempted a three-quarter punch shot with an 8-iron that hooked left into the water, resulting in a double bogey.
"It was a disappointing finish, there’s no sugarcoating that," Kohles wrote on Instagram the next day. He added that the game teaches players to choose how they respond and expressed pride in the week’s performance.
Jordan Spieth had reflected on similar risks five days earlier, noting that professional golf places the ball in the player’s hands for the final shot and brings both heartbreak and reward.
