J.T. Poston in extraordinary 67-hole dilemma at Memorial Tournament
Weather suspension at the Memorial leaves PGA Tour star with a punishing potential schedule. But a win at Murifield Village would take care of everything!
J.T. Poston could face one of golf's toughest 48-hour stretches should he fail to secure a place in next week's U.S. Open through his finish at the Memorial Tournament.
The 33-year-old American heads into Sunday's conclusion at Muirfield Village in a share of the lead alongside Ryan Gerard, but severe weather forced officials to suspend the third round on Saturday with both players still on the sixth green.
Poston and Gerard will return at 7:30am local time on Sunday to complete testing par putts on the sixth hole, with Poston facing five feet and Gerard 15 feet.
The PGA Tour is hopeful of completing both the third and final rounds on Sunday.
To help avoid a Monday finish, officials have adjusted the final-round format, with players set to tee off between approximately 11am and 12:45pm from both the first and 10th tees in groups of three.
For Poston, however, the challenge may not end when the Memorial Tournament does.
The three-time PGA Tour winner is currently scheduled to compete in 36-hole U.S. Open Final Qualifying on Monday if he does not earn an exemption through his result at Muirfield Village.
A victory at Jack Nicklaus' Signature Event would secure his place in the field at Shinnecock Hills, eliminating the need to qualify.
As things stand, Poston still has 31 holes left to complete at the Memorial.
If he then heads to Monday's U.S. Open qualifier, he could be faced with playing a remarkable 67 holes in less than two days.
PGA Tour SiriusXM analyst Jason Sobel highlighted the challenge on social media.
"J.T. Poston is scheduled to play U.S. Open Final Qualifying this Monday, but first he'll play 31 holes tomorrow at the Memorial Tournament," Sobel wrote on X.
"If he doesn't qualify through his result, that's 67 holes the next two days. Golf's Longest Day preceded by Golf's Second Longest Day."
Poston arrived in Dublin, Ohio, searching for form after a difficult season.
The world number 96 had failed to record a top-20 finish in 13 PGA Tour starts this year before putting himself firmly in contention at Muirfield Village.
The chasing pack remains stacked with proven winners.
Sam Burns sits just one shot behind the leaders, while Eric Cole, Tommy Fleetwood, Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley are all within striking distance heading into the final day.
World number one Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy remain eight shots off the lead with holes left to complete in their third rounds.
Scheffler is attempting to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001 to win the Memorial Tournament three consecutive times.
The Memorial Tournament, hosted by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, carries a $20 million purse, with $4 million awaiting Sunday's winner.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
