"Texas Boy" Spieth Wins in Playoff with Two Eagles... 'PO Champ' Cantlay Defeated

Published 18 Apr.2022 07:30(KST)

Updated 18 Apr.2022 08:01(KST)

RBC Heritage Final Day 5-Under, First Playoff Hole 'Winning Par', Korea's Im Sung-jae Tied 21st, Kim Si-woo Tied 42nd

Jordan Spieth is making an approach shot on the 9th hole during the final day of the RBC Heritage. Hilton Head, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Two eagles, bang bang."

'Texas Boy' Jordan Spieth's dramatic playoff victory. On the 18th (Korean time), at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA (Par 71, 7,121 yards), Spieth shot 5-under on the final day of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage (total prize money $8 million) to tie for the lead at 13-under 271 with 'Playoff (PO) Champ' Patrick Cantlay (both from the USA), then finished the first playoff hole, the 18th hole (Par 4), with a winning par. This marks his first win of the 2022 season, his 13th career victory following the Texas Open last April, and a winner's prize of $1.44 million (17.7 billion KRW).

Spieth started tied for 8th, 3 shots behind, and combined two eagles, three birdies, and two bogeys. The two early eagles were highlights. On the 2nd hole (Par 5), he made an eagle from an 18-yard greenside bunker shot, and on the 5th hole (Par 5), he holed a long 7.3-meter putt for eagle. After gaining momentum with a birdie on the 8th hole (Par 4), bogeys on the 9th and 11th holes slowed him down, but birdies on the 13th (Par 4) and final 18th hole (Par 4) helped him recover his score. In the playoff, he landed a bunker shot right next to the hole.

Spieth is the former world No. 1. He won the US Junior Amateur twice, gaining attention as the 'Post-Tiger,' and notably, when he won his first title at the John Deere Classic in July 2013, he became the first teenage champion in 82 years since Ralph Guldahl (Santa Monica Open, 1931) at 19 years, 11 months, and 18 days old. In 2015, he swept five wins including back-to-back majors at the Masters in April and the US Open in June.

He narrowly missed a historic 'three consecutive major wins' in July at The Open, finishing tied for 4th by one stroke, ending a 62-year attempt since Ben Hogan (USA) in 1953, which was a disappointment. In 2017, he won The Open, becoming the youngest to claim his third major at 23 years and 11 months, after Jack Nicklaus (USA, 23 years 6 months). This was faster than 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods' three majors in 2000 at 24 years and 6 months. After four years without a title, he made a 'comeback shot' last year in his hometown Texas.

Patrick Cantlay is attempting a bunker shot on the 8th hole during the final day of the RBC Heritage. Hilton Head, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Cantlay shot 3-under on the day, especially making a birdie on the 17th hole (Par 3) to tie, but fell short by '2%'. Last year's four-time winner has been frustrated this year with two runner-up finishes, including a tie for 2nd at the Phoenix Open in February. Cam Davis (Australia) posted an 8-under daily best to settle in a tie for 3rd place (12-under 272). From Korea, Im Sung-jae (24) finished tied for 21st (8-under 276), and Kim Si-woo (27, both from CJ Logistics) ended tied for 42nd (5-under 279).