Spieth clinches Hero World Challenge, Tiger finishes tied 17th
By Amanpreet Singh
Orlando (Florida), Dec 8 (PTI) New golfing sensation Jordan Spieth became the youngest champion at the Hero World Challenge following a record-setting performance while Tiger Woods finished tied 17th after carding an even-par 72 on the final day of his comeback event, here.
The young American pocketed USD one million for his extraordinary performance as he aggregated 26-under 262 with a final round card of 66, breaking the tournament record of 266 set by Woods in 2007 and Davis Love III in 2000.
Woods had won this event in 2001 as a 25-year old to become the youngest champion at that time while Spieth is only 21 and his 10-stroke win has come in a field which features six Major winners and six of the top-10 players.
It was also the second title for Spieth in as many weeks, coming into the USD 3.5 million PGA Tour event after winning Australia Open.
He will now jump into the top-10, moving to number nine from 11. It is the second PGA Tour title for Spieth, having won the John Deere Classic last year.
World number two Henrik Stenson, who was three under today, was sole second.
Spieth’s victory was on cards when he ended day three at 20-under and he never took his foot off the pedal. None of the players could catch him as he continued to dominate the tough Isleworth Golf and Country Club with confidence and class.
He opened the day with a birdie and then hit his 239-yard approach shot on the par-5 seventh hole to 12 feet to sink the putt for an eagle.
His back nine featured a rare double bogey on the par-4 14th hole but he followed it up with a birdie.
“Everything in my game was momentum coming off this week.
It’s really cool to make my way into the top-10. To crack the top-10 is a tremendous honour. This caps off the best golfing year that I have ever had each year has been a little better than the last. I hope to continuing do so in 2015,” Spieth said.
The American said victory last week in Sydney gave him confidence but “winning here in College and playing here twice was important.”
“Because I would not know the golf course, especially on short notice. So I was fortunate to have been here a couple of times.” PTI AT