DUBLIN, June 9 -- The par putt on the 17th hole Sunday was maybe seven feet. It was also, at that precise moment, J.T. Poston's entire season.

Ryan Gerard had just rolled in 40 feet of birdie to take the lead. Poston had been in front since Friday evening. Now, with five holes remaining at Muirfield Village and a full U.S. Open qualifying day looming Monday morning, the tournament host's handshake and the $4 million check were drifting toward someone else.

He made it. That par putt - drilled into the center of the cup - was the hinge on which a remarkable Sunday pivoted. One hole later, Poston hit a wedge to 12 feet, sank the birdie and sent the Memorial into a playoff. On the second extra hole at 18, Gerard three-putted from 55 feet. P...