[Winners Club] Spohn's Brilliant Iron Combination

It was a wise choice by world No. 5 J.J. Spohn of the United States.

On April 5 (local time), J.J. Spohn claimed a come-from-behind victory at the Valero Texas Open (total prize money: $9.8 million) on the PGA Tour, held at TPC San Antonio (par 72, 7,438 yards) in San Antonio, Texas. In the final 4th round, he carded a 5-under 67, recording 1 eagle, 4 birdies, and 1 bogey. With a total score of 17-under 271, Spohn added a trophy for the first time in 10 months since last June's US Open, a major championship. This marked his third career win, earning him a winner’s prize of $1,764,000 (approximately KRW 2.67 billion).

J.J. Spohn is making an approach shot on the 18th hole during the fourth round of the Valero Texas Open. San Antonio?AP Yonhap News Agency

원본보기 아이콘

Spohn, who was tied for 6th place after the third round, delivered a flawless performance in the final round. On the 306-yard par-4 17th hole, he landed his tee shot on the green and sank an approximately 3-meter eagle putt to surge into the lead. He then secured his victory by making par on the final 18th hole (par 5), successfully pulling off the comeback.

Above all, his iron shots stood out. Over four days, his greens-in-regulation rate reached 69.44% (tied for 5th). His strokes gained on approach to the green totaled 6.747 (2nd place). Spohn assembled a unique set of irons: a Srixon ZXi5 distance model for his 4-iron, and compact Srixon ZXi7 irons from the 5-iron through pitching wedge. By combining distance and accuracy, he reached the top of the PGA Tour.

<Clubs Used by J.J. Spohn During His Valero Texas Open Victory>

Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees)

Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Qi10 (15, 21 degrees)

Irons: Srixon ZXi5 (#4), ZXi7 (#5-PW)

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore Tour Rack (50 degrees), RTZ Tour Rack (54 degrees), RTX 6 Tour Rack (60 degrees)

Putter: L.A.B. Golf DF3

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond *Source: Golf.com

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.