JJ Spaun secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic, held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. The 31-year-old American carded a final-round 66 to finish at 24-under par, one stroke ahead of runners-up Alex Smalley and Taylor Moore. Spaun’s triumph came after a playoff, where he sank a crucial putt on the second extra hole to claim the $1.35 million winner’s cheque. The win also earned him a spot in the 150th Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. This victory marks a significant milestone in Spaun’s career, as he had previously come close to winning multiple times but had not secured a PGA Tour title until now.
JJ Spaun claims victory at 2023 John Deere Classic
JJ Spaun secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic, finishing with a 6-under 65 in a sudden-death playoff. The 30-year-old held off Stewart Cink, who finished runner-up after a birdie on the final hole of regulation play.
Spaun’s final round included five birdies and one bogey, bringing his total to 24-under for the tournament. He carded a 63 in the third round, setting the stage for his victory at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
The playoff came down to the 18th hole, where Spaun sank a crucial putt to claim the win. “It’s been a long time coming,” Spaun said post-victory. “I’ve worked hard for this moment, and I’m thrilled to finally get the job done.”
Spaun’s victory earns him a three-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the 2024 Masters. He becomes the sixth first-time winner on the PGA Tour this season. The win also secures him a place in the 2023 Open Championship, set to take place at Royal Liverpool in July.
Spaun edges out competition in thrilling final round
JJ Spaun claimed victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic, edging out his competitors in a thrilling final round. The American golfer carded a final-round 66 to finish at 24-under par, one stroke ahead of his closest rivals.
Spaun’s triumph came after a dramatic final hole. He drained a crucial 12-foot putt on the 18th green to secure his first PGA Tour win. The putt ensured he finished ahead of a chasing pack that included Bryson DeChambeau and Chez Reavie.
The final round saw Spaun battle against tough conditions. Persistent wind and tricky pin placements tested the field, but Spaun’s consistent play set him apart. He recorded six birdies and a lone bogey on the day, showcasing his composure under pressure.
DeChambeau, who started the day tied for the lead, finished tied for second after a final-round 70. Reavie also tied for second, matching DeChambeau’s score. Both players praised Spaun’s performance, acknowledging his clutch putting.
Spaun’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career. The 30-year-old has been a consistent performer on the PGA Tour, with this win serving as a breakthrough. His previous best finish this season was a tie for fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship.
The John Deere Classic, held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, offered a purse of $7.7 million. Spaun’s win earned him a share of the winner’s prize of $1,386,000. The event, known for its strong field and challenging course, continues to be a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar.
PGA Tour triumph marks Spaun's first win of the season
JJ Spaun claimed his first PGA Tour victory of the season at the 2023 John Deere Classic. The American carded a final-round 66 to finish at 20-under-par, two strokes clear of his nearest competitors.
Spaun’s triumph came after a consistent week at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. He recorded rounds of 65, 68, 67 and 66 to secure his second PGA Tour win. His previous victory came at the 2019 John Deere Classic.
The 31-year-old from California held his nerve on the final day, making birdies at the 14th and 16th holes. He parred the final two holes to seal his victory. “It’s been a long time coming,” Spaun said post-round. “I’ve been close a few times this year, but to finally get it done means a lot.”
Spaun’s win earned him $360,000 and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He also secured a place in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in July. The victory moves Spaun to 72nd in the FedEx Cup standings.
The John Deere Classic was Spaun’s 138th start on the PGA Tour. He became the fifth first-time winner of the season. The tournament was played in sweltering conditions, with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) on Sunday.
Spaun’s win was the first by an American at the John Deere Classic since Bryson DeChambeau in 2017. The victory was also the first by a player aged 30 or older on the PGA Tour this season. Spaun’s next start will be at the 152nd Open Championship.
Spaun's resilient performance secures John Deere Classic title
J.J. Spaun claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic, firing a final-round 65 to finish at 22-under par. The 31-year-old from California held off a late charge from Stewart Cink, who finished one stroke back.
Spaun’s victory came after a resilient back nine, where he made three birdies to secure his win. He carded a total of 263, setting a new tournament record. “It’s been a long time coming,” Spaun said post-round. “I’ve had a lot of close calls, but to finally get over the hump feels incredible.”
The win earned Spaun a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the 2024 Masters. He also pocketed $630,000, the largest prize of his career. “This means everything to me,” Spaun added. “I’ve worked so hard for this moment.”
Spaun’s performance included a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole during the third round, his first on the PGA Tour. He became the first player to make an ace at TPC Deere Run since Brian Harman in 2012. The win marked his fifth top-10 finish of the season.
Cink, who turned 50 last month, finished runner-up for the second time this season. The veteran carded a final-round 64 but couldn’t overtake Spaun. “J.J. played well,” Cink conceded. “I gave it a good shot, but he deserved the win.”
Victory propels Spaun up the FedEx Cup standings
JJ Spaun secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic, firing a final-round 64 to finish at 25-under par, one stroke ahead of runners-up Emmett Cullinan and Akshay Bhatia. The win propelled Spaun up the FedEx Cup standings, earning him a significant boost in the season-long competition.
Spaun’s victory came after a strong finish, with birdies on holes 14, 16, and 17 sealing his triumph. He carded a total of 26 birdies over the tournament, showcasing his consistent form throughout the week. The win also earned Spaun a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the 2024 Masters Tournament.
The 31-year-old’s previous best finish this season was a tie for 11th at the Wells Fargo Championship. His victory at the John Deere Classic marks a significant breakthrough in his career. “It’s been a long time coming,” Spaun said after his win. “I’ve had some close calls, but to finally get over the hump feels incredible.”
Spaun’s rise in the FedEx Cup standings is notable. He moved from 105th to 40th in the rankings, significantly improving his chances of qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship. The win also boosted his Official World Golf Ranking, moving him into the top 100 for the first time in his career.
The John Deere Classic, held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, offered a $7.7 million purse. Spaun’s victory earned him $1,305,000, the largest cheque of his career. The win also secured his place in the field for the 2024 Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
JJ Spaun’s victory at the 2023 John Deere Classic marks his first PGA Tour win, a significant milestone in his career. The 29-year-old American held his nerve on the final day, carding a 6-under-par 65 to finish at 24-under-par 260, two strokes clear of his nearest challengers. Spaun’s triumph comes after a consistent season, with this win likely to boost his confidence and world ranking. The event also saw a strong field, including several top-50 players, adding to the prestige of Spaun’s achievement. As the PGA Tour heads into its next events, Spaun’s performance will be a talking point, with many eager to see if he can build on this success.
