Justin Thomas enjoyed the perfect preparation for the defence of his US PGA Championship title with victory in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron as Rory McIlroy’s final round charge never materialised.
Thomas took a three-shot lead into the final round at Firestone Country Club and carded a closing 69 to finish 15 under par, four shots ahead of fellow American Kyle Stanley.
McIlroy began the as Thomas’ closest challenger along with Ian Poulter, but a final round 73 scuppered his chances of a a meaningful challenge.
World number one Dustin Johnson surged through the field with a closing 64 to finish a shot further back alongside Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen, who birdied three of the last five holes to also shoot 64.
Thomas was far from his best as he played the opening 12 holes in level par and both Stanley and Jason Day eventually closed to within two shots, only to promptly bogey the next two holes.
And a birdie from 12 feet on the 13th effectively sealed a first World Golf Championship title and the winner's cheque of $1.3m for Thomas ahead of the final major of the season at Bellerive Country Club.
Tiger Woods had earlier struggled to a closing 73 which contained six birdies, five bogeys and two double bogeys in the space of three holes on the back nine.
But the eight-time winner at least signed off in style with a birdie on the 18th, his last shot at Firestone Country Club before the event moves to TPC Southwind in Memphis next year.
Paul Dunne closed out his weekend with a final round 74 to finish on eight over par.
