Chris Gatherup raises his arm after clinching victory in the final round of the PGA Tour John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, on Monday. [AP]
Chris Gatherup raises his arm after clinching victory in the final round of the PGA Tour John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, on Monday. [AP]

Chris Gatherup of the United States claimed a come-from-behind victory at the PGA Tour John Deere Classic, an $8.8 million event.

Playing the final round Monday at TPC Deere Run (par 71) in Silvis, Illinois, Gatherup carded nine birdies without a single bogey.

Sitting in a tie for 12th through three rounds on Sunday, he delivered a stunning final-round performance to finish at 20 under par, 264 total. He edged runner-up Max Homa of the United States — who finished at 19 under, 265 — by one stroke to lift the trophy.

The win was Gatherup's third of the season. He took home the winner's check of $1,584,000.

Ben Coles of the United States had been tied with Gatherup through the 17th hole, with a win or playoff seemingly within reach, but he hit his second shot into the water on the par-4 18th and made double bogey, dropping into a tie for third at 18 under, 266.

Kim Joo-hyung struggled Monday, trading three birdies for three bogeys to card an even-par 71. He finished at 9 under, 275, tying for 46th in a field missing many of the top players.

Im Sung-jae closed with a 5-over round to finish in a tie for 71st at 3 under, 281.


yjc@heraldcorp.com