Thomas warms up for defence of US PGA Championship title with victory in Akron

Justin Thomas enjoyed the perfect preparation for the defence of his US PGA Championship title with victory in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

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.

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.

Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter had been Thomas’ closest challengers at the start of the day but shot disappointing rounds of 73 and 74 respectively.

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 £1.3million 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.

“How about that huh?” Woods told reporters after his round. “I’ve made a few birdies there. It was a good way to end it. I’m going to miss this place. I’ve had so many great memories and it’s just sad that we’re not coming back here anymore.

“Things could have certainly gone better but it is what it is and (we’re) on to next week. I was trying to be aggressive as possible and fire at everything. It was either going to be a 62 or a 72. I hit a few pulls this week, also hit a few blocks. I hit it both ways. Need to clean things up.”