'Texas Boy' Spieth Wins Playoff Again "Two Eagles Bang Bang"... 'PO Champ' Cantlay Defeated (Summary)

Published 18 Apr.2022 09:11(KST)

RBC Heritage Final Day 5-Under, Playoff First Hole 'Winning Par', Korea's Im Sungjae Tied 21st, Kim Siwoo Tied 42nd

Jordan Spieth is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the RBC Heritage. Hilton Head (USA) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

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

The 'Texas boy' Jordan Spieth achieved a 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 finished the final round of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage (total prize money $8 million) with 5-under par, tying for the lead at 13-under par 271 with 'Playoff (PO) champ' Patrick Cantlay (both from the USA). He then sealed the win with a par on the first playoff hole, the 18th hole (par 4). This marked his first win of the 2022 season, his 13th career victory following the Texas Open in April last year, and earned him a winner's prize of $1.44 million (1.77 billion KRW).

Spieth started the day tied for 8th, 3 strokes behind, and recorded two eagles, three birdies, and two bogeys. The two early eagles were highlights. On the 2nd hole (par 5), he made an 18-yard 'greenside bunker shot eagle,' and on the 5th hole (par 5), he sank a long 7.3-meter eagle putt. After a birdie on the 8th hole (par 4) gave him momentum, bogeys on the 9th and 11th holes slowed him down, but birdies on the 13th (par 4) and the 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 gained attention as the 'post-Tiger' after winning the US Junior Amateur twice, and when he won his first PGA Tour title at the John Deere Classic in July 2013, he set a new milestone as the first teenage champion in 82 years since Ralph Guldahl (Santa Monica Open, 1931) at 19 years, 11 months, and 18 days old. Notably, in 2015, he swept five wins in the season, including back-to-back majors with the Masters in April and the US Open in June.

He narrowly missed a 'major three-peat' at the Open Championship in July, finishing tied for 4th by one stroke, ending a 62-year bid since Ben Hogan (USA) in 1953. In 2017, at the Open Championship, he became the youngest player since Jack Nicklaus (USA, 23 years 6 months) to win three majors at 23 years 11 months. This was faster than 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods' three majors in 2000 at 24 years 6 months. This win is also meaningful as his first since the birth of his son, Sammy, last November. He cheered, "My son may not understand, but this is a truly special moment."

Cantlay shot 3-under par, especially making a late birdie on the 17th hole (par 3) to force the playoff, but was unlucky when his second shot landed in a bunker, resulting in a 'fried egg lie.' Cam Davis (Australia) surged to a tie for 3rd place (12-under par 272) with an 8-under par daily best. In Korea, Im Sung-jae (24) finished tied for 21st (8-under par 276), and Kim Si-woo (27, both from CJ Logistics) tied for 42nd (5-under par 279).

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 par on the day, especially making a late birdie on the 17th hole (par 3) to tie, but lacked the finishing strength. In the playoff, he was unlucky when his second shot landed in a bunker, resulting in a 'fried egg lie.' Cam Davis (Australia) surged to a tie for 3rd place (12-under par 272) with an 8-under par daily best. In Korea, Im Sung-jae (24, CJ Logistics) finished tied for 21st (8-under par 276), and Kim Si-woo (27, both from CJ Logistics) tied for 42nd (5-under par 279).