Frittelli wins maiden title at John Deere Classic

Dylan Frittelli became the 12th first-time PGA Tour winner of the season with a two-shot victory at the John Deere Classic

Two-time European Tour winner Dylan Frittelli earned his maiden victory on the PGA Tour with a final round bogey-free 64 to finish two shots clear of Russell Henley on 21-under-par.

The South African, who also earned his spot at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, started the day two shots back but posted a final round at at TPC Deere Run that included seven birdies to hold off Henley’s early challenge of 61.

“I don’t want to say it was easy out there. It just felt a whole lot easier than it has been the last few weeks,” Frittelli said. “I calmed my nerves down.”

Frittelli, who sat two shots behind joint-overnight leaders Cameron Tringale and Andrew Landry, opened his round with three birdies in a row, converting excellent iron shots to within five feet on the first and second before rolling in a putt from 17 feet on the third.

He followed that up with a further birdie at the eighth to make the turn in 18-under, and added back-to-back birdies after the turn with a chip in on the par-five 10th and a 20-foot birdie putt on 11. 

Those birdies helped him to the top of the leaderboard despite a tournament record 61 from Henley, who finished on 19-under-par, and a final birdie on the par-five 17th moved him two shots clear with one to play. 

With his card, a spot in the Open and a trophy in his grasp, Frittelli played the final hole perfectly: A 315 yard drive in to the fairway, an iron to the green, and a two-putt par for victory. 

“Wow, it’s awesome. I watched this tournament as a kid, didn’t know much about it besides that it’s a really low-scoring event. When I graduated college, my buddy Jordan Spieth came into my focus once I became a member of the PGA TOUR.

“But now to have won it, I don’t know, still sinking in. Feels awesome. It feels great. The support I got from everyone here this week in town felt awesome and they definitely made me feel at home. Probably one of the best TOUR stops I’ve been to when it comes to support from the community.”

Overnight leader Andrew Landry finished in third behind Henley, while last week’s runner-up Collin Morikawa finished in a share of 4th with Chris Stroud following a five-under 66 that gaurantees his card for the rest of the season.