It wasn't exactly a calm Sunday in the desert. If you were watching the shriners open leaderboard 2024 on that final afternoon at TPC Summerlin, you probably saw J.T. Poston nearly give the whole thing away. He had a three-shot lead with just a few holes to go. Then, the wheels kinda started wobbling.
Poston, known as "The Postman" because he usually delivers, suddenly found himself staring down a charging Doug Ghim. It’s those moments in golf that make your stomach do flip-flops, even if you’re just sitting on the couch with a bag of chips.
He won. But man, it was closer than the scorecards make it look.
Poston finished at 22-under par, just a single stroke ahead of Ghim. For a guy who hadn’t won since 2022, that final walk up the 18th felt like a mile. He two-putted from about 45 feet on the last hole to save par and secure his third career PGA Tour title. Honestly, it was a masterclass in staying out of your own head when everything starts going sideways.
The Names That Defined the Shriners Open Leaderboard 2024
Most people focus on the winner, but the real story of the shriners open leaderboard 2024 was the battle for status. Remember, this is the FedExCup Fall. For guys like Rico Hoey and Matti Schmid, a top-three finish isn't just a nice trophy—it’s job security.
They both finished T3 at 19-under.
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Hoey, in particular, has been a blast to watch lately. The guy plays with so much raw energy. Schmid is more the "silent assassin" type, just grinding out birdies while everyone else is looking at the mountains. Then you had the defending champ, Tom Kim, who was trying to pull off a historic three-peat. It didn't happen. Vegas is tough, and TPC Summerlin doesn't care about your past trophies.
A Breakdown of the Top Finishers
The top of the pack was crowded with guys who desperately needed the points.
J.T. Poston took home the biggest slice of the pie, a cool $1,260,000. Doug Ghim, who finished solo second at 21-under, pocketed $763,000. That’s his best career finish on Tour, by the way. Behind them, Rico Hoey and Matti Schmid split the third-place honors, each taking home $413,000.
Further down, you had a three-way tie for fifth. Michael Kim, Davis Thompson, and K.H. Lee all ended at 18-under, earning $259,000 apiece.
It’s funny how we talk about "only" being in 10th place, but Kurt Kitayama, Gary Woodland, and Harris English were all part of a T9 group that still cleared over $176,000. Not a bad week's work in the Nevada sun.
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Why TPC Summerlin Always Creates This Kind of Drama
Summerlin is a bit of a weird one. It’s a par 71 that plays over 7,200 yards, but because of the altitude in Las Vegas, the ball just flies. You see guys hitting 350-yard drives like it’s nothing. This means the shriners open leaderboard 2024 was always going to be a birdie-fest. If you weren't shooting 65 or 66, you were basically moving backward.
The wind usually plays a factor too. In 2024, we saw some gusts that really messed with the leaders on Saturday. It forces you to be aggressive but smart—a combination that's easier said than done when there's over a million bucks on the line.
Poston’s rounds were consistent: 64, 65, 66, and a final 67. That’s the blueprint. No blow-up holes. Just steady, repetitive excellence.
The Money and the Points: What’s Really at Stake
People forget that the Shriners isn't just about the check. Since it’s part of the FedExCup Fall, the points are the real currency.
- Top 125 Security: Players are fighting to stay in the top 125 of the standings to keep their full Tour cards for 2025.
- The Next Level: Finishing in the "Next 10" (spots 51-60) gets you into the first two Signature Events of the following year.
- World Ranking: J.T. Poston jumped significantly in the OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) with this win, which opens doors to the Majors.
The Amateur Who Almost Stole the Show
One of the coolest subplots on the shriners open leaderboard 2024 was Ian Gilligan. He’s an amateur from the University of Florida, and the kid was absolutely fearless. He finished T16 at 14-under par.
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Because he’s an amateur, he didn't get to keep the $103,250 that the pros in that slot earned. That money just stays in the purse. But the experience? You can't buy that. Watching a college kid go toe-to-toe with guys like Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler (who finished T23) is exactly why we watch sports.
Moving Forward: What to Watch Next
If you followed the leaderboard this year, you saw how much momentum matters. Poston is now a certified threat every time he tees it up in a desert environment.
For the rest of the field, the focus shifts immediately. The Fall schedule is a sprint. If you’re a fan or a bettor, keep an eye on Doug Ghim. He’s been knocking on the door for a long time, and that second-place finish in Vegas feels like a turning point.
Next Steps for Golf Fans:
- Check the updated FedExCup Fall standings to see who moved into the top 125.
- Watch for J.T. Poston in the upcoming Signature Events; his confidence is likely at an all-time high.
- Keep an eye on the "Next 10" race as the season wraps up—it determines who gets the big invites for next spring.
The desert always reveals who has the nerves to handle the heat. In 2024, J.T. Poston proved he's still one of the best "closers" in the game, even if he made us sweat a little bit at the end.