JORDAN SPIETH MAKES HISTORY AT JOHN DEERE CLASSIC

By mustang6560 on 7/15/13

The only thing that stood between Jordan Spieth and his much needed break yesterday was a bunker shot on the 18th at TPC Deere Run. The 19-year-old had played the last three weeks and was ready for a little R&R.

Then, this happened.





His chip-in birdie from the greenside bunker on the 72nd hole of the John Deere Classic not only changed his vacation itinerary, but it also changed his life.

Instead of hopping on a plane and heading back to Texas, he found himself in a three-way playoff against defending champion Zach Johnson and David Hearn. It took five playoff holes (and two dodged bullets), but Jordan accomplished something Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and a whole host of talented golfers didn't — he was his first PGA Tour event as a teenager. In fact, the last teenager to win on the PGA Tour was Ralph Guldahl in 1931.

"I don't know," he said when apprised of the fact he was a PGA TOUR winner about a year sooner than the likes of Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. "I don't think of my age as my age. I just think of playing and competing with these guys as my peers. The guys in this event, each week, week to week, I don't think of myself as younger than them.

"But," he added, "I didn't think it would happen this early. A year ago, we had won a national (college) championship at Texas and I thought I'd be back at school right now."

In addition to earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and an invitation to Augusta National next spring, Jordan earned a spot in The Open Championship this week. So instead he traded the heat of Texas hill country for the cold, windy climate of Scotland — a trade he was happy to make.

I was glued to the TV last night watching the finish, something I was not expecting to do. I hate to root against players, but last night I was cheering against both Zach and David in the playoff as much as I was rooting for Jordan. I was so happy to see the youngster win as I think he has a bright future ahead of him (dare I say he could be The Next Tiger Woods?).


read more

Read an interesting golf article? Tip Your Editor!


Image via PGA Tour