JORDAN SPIETH hailed his latest sensational victory as “one for the ages”.
The American’s triumph at the Travelers Championship meant he became only the second player after Tiger Woods to win ten PGA Tour events before the age of 24.
Spieth, 23, did it in style, holing a greenside bunker shot for a birdie on the first play-off hole to beat big pal Daniel Berger.
Keep up to date with all the latest golf news
Spieth and Berger, a winner at the St Jude Classic earlier this month, have been friends and rivals since they were teenagers.
That moment of magic in Connecticut prompted another member of the close circle — Justin Thomas — to hail him as the “Golden Child”.
It also revived memories of his first victory, as a 19-year-old rookie, when he holed out at the fifth extra hole to take out Zach Johnson and David Hearn at the 2103 John Deere Classic.
Spieth, whose win lifted him up to No 3 spot in the world rankings, said: “I’ve always taken some c**p from my peers about the John Deere one potentially going off the green, or into the water.
“At least this one had good speed going in.
“Obviously, this was one for the ages. I don’t know if I will ever have a moment like that again.”
It would be hard to find anyone in the game who shares Spieth’s belief this could be as good as it gets for the game’s most exciting young talent.
And it was good to see him celebrating like a kid again — chest-bumping caddie Michael Greller.
He added: “I was actually a little surprised by the level of jubilation from Michael.
Celebration game …
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2017
“He’s more reserved than me. But he was screaming and it made me want to scream louder. So I just went nuts.
“Then he jumped and we both went kind of for the little side bump. But it was cool. I mean, the ground was shaking.
“But I really wish that I didn’t make it exciting. The goal was boring golf.
“Play the way we played the first few holes, with a couple of birdies, then make a bunch of pars, maybe slip in another birdie or two, and cruise in.
“I still wish I did it that way, but the way that it happened, sometimes you need a little fireworks.”
Most read in sport
Spieth, who turns 24 four days after The Open finishes at Birkdale on July 23, is determined to give himself an early birthday gift. He said: “That’s my second win this year, so it’s been a solid one so far.
“I’ll take a little vacation time and come back and work my butt off to try to grab a Major.”
A third Major triumph at Birkdale — he won The Masters and US Open in 2015 — would inevitably prompt more comparisons with Woods.
Putt your best foot forward, Rory
RORY McILROY will stick to his latest putter ahead of next month’s Open — after using THREE at the Travelers Championship.
The Northern Irishman, 28, shot a six- under 64 in the final round to finish 17th in Connecticut, six behind Jordan Spieth.
He said: “This might be the one that stays in the bag for a few weeks.
“At least I showed up for one day and showed what I’m capable of. But I’ve still got a bit of work to do.”
- Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline.