Jordan Spieth wins John Deere Classic

19-year-old Jordan Spieth came through a playoff against Zach Johnson and David Hearn to win the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois.

Spieth is the first teenager to win on the PGA Tour since Ralph Guldahl claimed the Santa Monica Open back in 1931. With the win, he's earned full status on the PGA Tour and a place in this week's Open Championship at Muirfield.

The youngster, who only turned pro last December, began the final round six shots behind Daniel Summerhays, but he clawed his way back into contention with an excellent closing 65. With Summerhays faltering, it proved to be enough to end regulation play in a tie on top of the leaderboard with defending champion Zach Jonson, and David Hearn of Canada.

Spieth might have come up just short, had he not played a miraculous shot on the 72nd hole. Finding sand with his second on the home hole, he faced a tricky bunker shot. He splashed out, the ball bounced a couple of times towards the flag, struck the stick and dropped into the cup.

Despite the effort, it seemed Spieth would come up just shy, as Zach Johnson looked to have the tournament under control mid-way through the round. But, the birdies dried up for the former Masters champion, and a bogey on the closing hole saw him drop back into a tie at the top.

Extra holes were needed to separate Spieth, Johnson and David Hearn, who closed with a 68. On the first four playoff holes, all three men made pars. Hearn might have won it at the fourth sudden-death hole when he missed a makeable putt, and Johnson almost chipped in on the first for the victory.

All three players went right from the tee on the fifth playoff hole, and only Spieth could scramble par from there to claim his first PGA Tour title.

"Just got so lucky. That's what it is. But right now I'm extremely pleased, and a little worried about only having short sleeves going to Scotland," Spieth said.

John Deere Classic TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois Jul 11-14, purse $4,600,000 par 71 1   Jordan Spieth (USA)   70   65   65   65   265   $828,000 T2   David Hearn (Can)   66   66   64   69   265   $404,800 T2   Zach Johnson (USA)   64   66   67   68   265   $404,800 T4   Martin Flores (USA)   67   67   69   63   266   $190,133 T4   Jerry Kelly (USA)      68   64   66   68   266   $190,133 T4   Daniel Summerhays (USA) 65 67   62   72   266   $190,133 T7   Matt Jones (Aus)      66   65   68   68   267   $143,367 T7   Patrick Reed (USA)   67   63   70   67   267   $143,367 T7   J.J. Henry (USA)      68   65   65   69   267   $143,367 T10   Jim Herman (USA)   66   68   67   67   268   $119,600 T10   Steve Stricker (USA)   67   66   69   66   268   $119,600   

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Where next? European Tour - Phil Mickelson wins Scottish Open