Jordan Spieth parred the fifth playoff hole on Sunday to capture the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, becoming the first teenager to win a PGA Tour event since 1931.
The 19-year-old American outlasted Canada’s David Hearn and Zach Johnson in the marathon playoff for his first career title.
“I just told myself ‘this is it and go for broke’. I am fortunate it ended the way it did,” Spieth said. “Honestly I don’t even know what to say right now.”
Spieth closed with his third consecutive six-under 65 to tie Hearn (69) and Johnson (68) at 19-under-par 265 at the Deere Run course.
Spieth, who was the American Junior Golf Association’s player of the year in 2009, birdied five of his final six holes, including a brilliant chip in from a greenside bunker at the 18th.
“The shot on 18 was the luckiest shot I ever hit in my life,” said Spieth, who earned a place in next week’s British Open.
Martin Flores fired an eight-under 63 during his final round to jump into a share of fourth place with third-round leader Daniel Summerhays (72) and Jerry Kelly (68) at 18-under.