SHRINERS CHILDREN'S OPEN

October 20, 2024

JT Poston

TPC Summerlin

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, like to welcome and congratulate JT Poston, the 2024 Shriners Children's Open champion. Third victory on TOUR, and it was a pretty dramatic day. Played more then 18 holes.

Just talk about what it was like for you to come down the stretch and get that victory.

JT POSTON: Yeah, it's never easy winning out here on TOUR. Today was no different. It was nice. Like you said, I had a few holes to finish the third round this morning, and my goal was to try and snag the lead and maybe even build on it before the end of the third round.

Was able to do that, which was great.

Then obviously got off to a great in the final round. A dream scenario start, but from then on it felt a little bit scrapie and trying to be aggressive and smart because guys were making birdies. Thankfully was just enough there at the end.

Q. Had a four-shot lead on the front nine. You won by one after holing that four, four and a half footer on the last. I noticed you holed putts on 9 and 10 in the middle of the round for pars. Probably about the same distance. How key was that to keep the momentum going?

JT POSTON: Yeah, that was big. Doug was obviously making some birdies, and he made a nice three there on 9 and was applying the pressure.

I told myself I was playing good, putting good, just trying to stay in my own lane. But, yeah, those putts on 9 and 10 to keep the lead and never quite give it up was big.

Yeah, I mean, thankfully was able to knock one in there on 18.

Q. When you saw Doug's shot on the last - looked pretty good in here - what were you thinking? Did you think that had a chance to go in?

JT POSTON: Yeah, our game plan was to make four on 18. Just don't even think about what ifs, what he could do. I was just already assuming he was going to make three.

He hit a great tee ball there and hit an unbelievable iron shot in there, and I knew he was going to make the putt.

So for me, I was just trying to focus on four good shots there on 18.

Q. How good does it feel to get your first victory as a dad?

JT POSTON: Yeah, feels unbelievable. We've had an incredible few weeks at home since the Playoffs. She was born in March, so middle of the season. It's been hectic, and home for a week at time and they've been traveling, which has been great. But just to have that extended time at home has been amazing.

She changes every day, every week, and so just get to go see that and be there for her and my wife has been incredible.

Q. Can you talk some more about perhaps any perspective you gained since becoming a father? And the time off you took from the BMW Championship until now, how did you spend that time? Was this that time with family that might have contributed to a new mindset out here?

JT POSTON: Yeah, absolutely. I would say the perspective is key in performing out here. I think at times I was definitely guilty of taking it a little too seriously maybe or being a little too hard on myself.

Since Scottie was born I feel like that's been a little bit of a 180, and just realizing that golf is not the most important thing. It's honestly far from it. That has given me a little bit more freedom on the golf course, knowing regardless of how I play I get to go home and grab her, hug her, and be with her.

And so that's a huge win in my book.

Q. Talk me through the back nine there. How were you feeling about your game coming through there? Were you watching the scoreboard? Did you see things get a little tight? Were you just playing your game?

JT POSTON: Yeah, a little bit of both. We kind of figured it was between Doug and I for most of the back nine. It obviously helps playing with him, kind of going shot for shot.

In my mind I was trying to just - it's cliche - but one shot at a time. This golf course you can make some mistakes pretty quick and you can make a lot of birdies and eagles pretty quick.

I just felt like it was never going to be over until that last hole, and so I was trying not to focus on what my lead was too much. Just trying to execute the shots that we were trying to execute coming down the stretch.

Q. What would you feel like is the best part your game this week?

JT POSTON: The strength of my game is definitely the putter, and the short game was definitely the strength this week. I don't know what the stats were. I feel like I hit it really good all week. Drove it great. Didn't quite hit the irons and wedges as good today as I would've liked.

But it's hard to win out here, and having a sharp short game definitely keep me in it.

Q. Obviously the Shriners' kids are walking out there this week. It's for them. What's the first thing that comes to your mind about playing an event that benefits the Shriners hospitals?

JT POSTON: It's an honor, a privilege to be able to be here and play. They're such an inspiration. Every interaction I've had with any of the kids, they're incredible. They're fun to be around, fun to talk to and get to know a little bit.

So it's an incredible a little bit of perspective for us as players. Like I said earlier you can take it pretty seriously out here. It's kind of a slap in the face sometimes where, you know, I've got it pretty good. These kids have been dealt a tough hand and they're making the most of it and it's incredible to see.

Q. Las Vegas is a magical place in many ways. What's the first thing comes to your mind about playing golf in Las Vegas, and what's the celebration going to be like tonight?

JT POSTON: Yeah, the first thing to comes to mind is this golf tournament. It's been one of my favorite on the schedule for a long time now. Had some good weeks before this week. Had a great chance last year too I felt like.

It's just a golf course that I really like. It's nice to finally get a win here. I felt like it was one that I could certainly win on.

As far as celebration goes, I don't really know. We could probably get into some trouble here. I'm going to lean on Aaron it lead that charge. He's pretty good at that. But we'll celebrate a little bit with a few adult beverages I'm sure.

Q. How nice was it to have some of your neighbors out there waiting on this 18th green when I finished. I noticed Patton and Ben and Davis out there.

JT POSTON: Yeah, it was great. Those guys there in Sea Island and Ben down in Jacksonville, such a tightknit community and great group of friends.

Patton was there when I won in Wyndham for my first one. He was there waiting on 18. I wish I could have been there in Napa when he won a few weeks ago.

It's it means a lot. We all are competitive and we want to beat each other, but if we don't win we want to see one of our friends win. It's cool to have them there to congratulate me and a nice familiar face walking off 18.

THE MODERATOR: We appreciate your time and congratulations and celebrate well tonight.

JT POSTON: Thank you. Appreciate it.