….. Fatiha Betscher, Tampa Bay, FL
American Jordan Spieth has made it three victories in his past eight events in capturing the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship in a play-0ff at Tampa Bay.
Spieth (69) holed a 20-foot birdie putt at the third extra play-off hole to defeat fellow Americans Patrick Reed (66) and Sean O’Hair (67) after all three ended regulation place at 10-under par on the Copperhead course.
It was the fourth occasion in the past five PGA Tour events (Northern Trust Open, Honda Classic and Puerto Rico Open) there has been a play-off on the 2014/15 wraparound schedule.
Jordan Spieth shows his excitement in winning the 2015 Valspar Championship. (Photo – pgatour.com)
The three returned to the uphill par four 18th hole and with Spieth playing the best second shot but only to walk off with a par while Reed also too par in getting up-and-down from a greenside bunker while O’Hair,who had been on the opposite side of the cart path down the right side, played a good second to find the green and two putt for par
Officials then conveyed the three to the 16th and the first hole of the closing three holes known as the ‘Snake Pit’ but with the trio walking off with pars.
It was then to the uphill par three 17th and with the 21-year old Dallas-born Spieth shutting out his rivals in holing a remarkable putt to win the $US 5.9m event at the Innisbrook Resort.
“It was a crazy back nine because I was three behind with six holes to play,” said Spieth.
“But then that was the best Michael my caddy and I had done, and just the scrambling coming in to make those par saves, and then to make that putt there at 17, and the third extra hole, was just luck as it that didn’t hit the hole I am staring at a four foot slider.
Jordan Spieth continues to add a new splash of brilliance to the Tour. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“So I guess it was my day.”
The victory is Spieth’s second regular PGA Tour success after he broke through to capture the 2013 John Deere Classic.
While victory takes the Texan through the $US 10m barrier in PGA prize money is just 65 tournaments.
Spieth became only the second place in the past 75 years to have won two PGA Tour events by age 22.
The Dallas-born Speith had captured last December’s Australian Open title and the very next week returned home to toast victory in the Tiger Woods hosted Hero World Challenge in suburban Orlando.
