Spieth's run to the top in 2009 began with a second-place finish at the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods, which was the first of his six top-five finishes on the year.
The months of May and June produced two more solid finishes at AJGA Invitationals, as a tie for seventh at the Thunderbird International Junior and a fourth-place showing at the FootJoy Invitational gave him momentum going into July.
Spieth solidified himself as the front-runner for the Rolex Junior Player of the Year at the U.S. Junior Amateur, held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., July 20-25. He earned medalist honors after carding a 6-under-par total during the 36-hole qualifying, and followed it with six wins in match play on his way to the championship title. By defeating Jay Hwang of San Diego in the finals, 4 and 3, Spieth became the eighth medalist in the event’s 62-year history to win and first since Matthew Rosenfeld in 2000. This victory catapulted him into the No. 1 spot in the Polo Golf Rankings - a position he has not relinquished since.
By season’s end, Spieth notched 11 rounds in the 60s and eight top-10 finishes, which separated him as junior golf’s top boy in 2009.
About the Rolex Junior All-America Player of the Year Award
Detailed information on Victoria Tanco, Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year