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Harman edges Johnson to win John Deere Classic

Sports

July 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — Brian Harman won his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, using three straight birdie putts in the final five holes to pull away from veteran Zach Johnson to win the John Deere Classic. Harman had a 5-under 66 in the final round for a 22-under-262 total and a one-stroke victory over Johnson to win $846,000, along with the last exemption for next week’s British Open.

Harman, a 27-year-old Georgian in his third full season on the PGA Tour, withstood Johnson’s challenge by making three birdies beginning at No. 14 to get to 23 under with two holes to play. Johnson, playing four pairs ahead of Harman, birdied the 17th to get within a stroke, but ran out of holes.

Jhonattan Vegas raced into a tie for third with a closing 65, ending up tied with Jerry Kelly at 265. Scott Brown and Tim Clark tied for fifth at 266.