The youth of the PGA Tour continues to impress this season. Both Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler captured victories on Sunday and will head into the British Open this upcoming weekend with some serious momentum.
Spieth won the John Deere Classic for the second time in three years. His victory in 2013 marked the first of his career when he was just 19 years old (to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in 82 years) and he again finished the event in dramatic fashion this time around. Back in 2013 he holed a 44-foot bunker shot on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with David Hearn and Zach Johnson.
Yesterday Spieth defeated the 46-year-old Tom Gillis, who was looking to become the oldest PGA Tour winner in 20 years. However, Spieth's 10-under third round (career-best) and three-under final round forced a playoff (including a clutch 21-foot chip-in on the 70th hole for birdie). The 21-year-old birdied four of the final six holes to finish with a 68 and then defeated Gillis in a two-hole playoff for his fourth victory of the 2014-2015 season.
Here are some notable stats regarding Spieth's win this weekend, per ESPN:
- Spieth is the first golfer to win four events in the same season before the British Open since Tiger Woods did it in 2000.
- Spieth became the only golfer besides Tiger Woods since 1940 to win five PGA Tour events before his 22nd birthday.
Spieth finished 20-under par for the tournament and will now look to capture his third consecutive major tournament victory at the British Open this week.
Fowler's weekend accomplishment came across the pond. The 26-year-old seized the win at the Scottish Open two months after his huge win at The Players Championship. Fowler stole the show from Matt Kuchar and Raphael Jacquelin after a birdie on the 72nd hole, which was the first time he gained the outright lead throughout the event.
Like Spieth, Fowler used a late surge to capture his victory and birdied three of the final four holes to defeat Kuchar by one stroke. On the par-4 18th Fowler put his 109-yard approach shot inside two feet and tapped in for birdie for the win - the fourth of his career (PGA and international combined).
Fowler finished 12-under par for the tournament and carded a 68 in the final round.
Now two of the youngest stars on the PGA Tour will compete at the oldest major championship (British Open) this week on one of the oldest courses (St. Andrews) in the world.
