Hayden Springer matches course-record 59, takes commanding lead at John Deere Classic
SILVIS Ill. The man graduated at the age of 18 from Byron Nelson High School and began playing the sport at the only course created by Ben Hogan.
By Craig DeVrieze
Written by Craig DeVrieze @PGATOUR
SILVIS Ill. The man graduated at the age of 18 from Byron Nelson High School and played the game on the only course created by Ben Hogan.
Perhaps there was nothing that provided the world with a any reason to believe Hayden Springer could claim standing with such Texas golf famous figures.
It came as an unintentional surprise to his tiny circle of relatives and instructors after the PGA TOUR rookie calmly curled the putt of 12 feet, 8 inches on the 18th hole in order to finish the 12-under-par 59 early Thursday afternoon, joining 12 other players who have made the same shot.
“He has always had a mindset of being the best of the best,” Springer’s wife Emma stated after witnessing her husband take an advantage of four shots (two at the end on the course) by the end of his first round in the John Deere Classic. “You don’t need to hit 59 shots to be the top in the world and you don’t need to be the top golfer at all to shoot 59, but definitely the pursuit of excellence and success as well as being the best that he can be is a high priority for Springer.
“It’s the one of these occasions for anyone who is doing a massive professional check-box. He could say that he was responsible for this.”
Hayden Springer breaks down historic 59 at John Deere
Absolutely, Rosey Bartlett, the long-time, but now retired instructor for the Trophy Club outside of Dallas was able to see that passion and desire when Springer was accepted into the legendary club’s junior academy 18 years ago.
“He’s just a wonderful young man,” she told me on Thursday, hailing from Texas. “He’s kind. He’s curious. However, he’s extremely driven. He’s a typical redhead. slightly obstinate however, he’s also an amazing youthful man.”
Similar to Michael Burns, who’s caddied for Springer for a variety of times during five years of a journeyman’s search for a spot on the PGA TOUR, has seen the elements of a game sufficient to be able to stand him against the best.
“The first time I worked with him he shot a 61 in a Monday qualifier for (Korn Ferry Tour’s) Price Cutter Charity Championship, and I knew when he got his card I was going to work with him,” Burns stated.
Since becoming a professional in the year 2019, Springer has travelled an extended road, with mixed success, but he was able to earn this card. The 2022 season saw the rookie Texan completed nine cuts, with five top-10s in 12 appearances at the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica (now part of PGA TOUR Americas together with PGA TOUR Canada). The following year, the Texan took home twice, as well as two other top-10 results in the seven PGA TOUR Canada events, however he did not make a cut in his four Korn Ferry events that year.
Hayden Springer holes out for Eagle from 55 yards at John Deere
It could be the greatest evidence of the will and strength Emma, Bartlett and Burns have long recognized in Springer.
“For him, to even be swinging the golf club is miracle,” Burns stated. “I am not sure what I’d do to carry on. But, because Sage is gone, it’s been a long journey. I’m sure he misses her deeply. Her photo is the screensaver on the phone. The man of 18 is on a mission and he’s never going to stop.”
Addition Springer: “It definitely tests your. It’s just a matter of finding ways to overcome it and keep moving forward. There have been some difficult situations occur. But at the end every day I desire to be competitive. I am a fan of competing.”
Thursday’s stunning round was a well-deserved reward. It also served as proof of the determination and determination that saw this tough Texan through the loss of Sage his journeyman’s time and rookie season that had more downs than positives.
Hayden Springer closes with birdie to score 59 at John Deere.
After a strong beginning to the season that included a third place finish in the Puerto Rico Open – one of five cashes during the first seven events he played – Springer suffered cut-offs in a row after which four strong rounds culminated in a T10 finish in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Then, he returned to work with Bartlett and identified solutions in the wake of watching Springer struggle during THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson and Charles Schwab Challenge.
“He’d gotten a little out of kilter with his set-up, and we got him back to where he was in his set up,” Bartlett stated. “The the last couple of weeks we worked to make him to feel comfortable with his actions in the past, and he was able to embrace each one. I believed there was a 63 or 64 present. I’m not certain if I believed that a 59 was the mix but I’m not sure. I’m just thrilled for him, because he shot fantastic (Thursday) and he putted great, too.”
In reality, Springer made 111 feet of putts, and made 3.746 putts during his first round of the day. The average was 304.5 yards off the tee and played 14 greens and then scrambled well on the other four.
The round began with an eagle at the second hole, which is par-5, and ending with six birdies in the next seven holes, Springer blitzed the TPC Deere Run frontside with the John Deere Classic tournament record 27. Six consecutive pars on his backside slow his progress into the 2nd sub-60 golf round TPC Deere Run history. However, he redeemed the Fourth of July firecracker round with an 18-foot 6-inch birdie roll on the difficult 15th hole and, after a par on the iconic TPC Deere Run 16th (a par 3 of 166 yards) and set the stage for an eagle-birdie round as well as an historic fourteenth round that was sub-60 in TOUR history which was the second time in two weeks.
He played it the difficult way, hitting the ball from 55 yards away from the left rough on 17, par 5. He was able to move up to 18 and had the chance of matching Paul Goydos’ magical 59 at TPC Deere Run in the year 2010. (Like Goydos, Springer played his round with the help of lift-clean-and-place rules.) A drive of 308 yards to the right-hand side of the 18th fairway, followed by a 153-yard drive up to 12 feet 8 inches placed the player who is a big hit in the right spot to make golf’s historical significance. He hit the hole.
“I tried not to get ahead of myself, but I was thinking about it,” he admitted. “To pull it off feels pretty special.”
Springer will have tasks to complete this week, as he tries for a better 127th position in the FedExCup race.
“Tomorrow is a new day,” he stated. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
No matter what it is, the graduates from Byron Nelson High School and the product of a course designed by Kathy Whitworth – by Ben Hogan, Ben Hogan, has put his name in the history of golf.