Hayden Springer became a member of the PGA Tour for the first time Monday night at TPC Sawgrass, picking up one of the five cards dealt at the end of the final stage of the PGA Tour Q School.
It took everything he had.
“I came into this week trying to make sure I was mentally fit and ready to play,” Springer said. “It’s definitely been a tough and emotional last month.”
Springer, 26, arrived in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., already guaranteed full status on the Korn Ferry Tour thanks to winning the points title on PGA Tour Canada last summer. In theory, he would earn his roll free to see if he can finish inside the top five and earn his PGA Tour card. But it’s not that easy. Springer was competing just one month after losing his 3-year-old daughter, Sage.
Sage Springer, who died on November 13, was diagnosed with the genetic disorder trisomy 18 when Hayden’s wife, Emma, was about five months pregnant. About half of babies with trisomy 18 are stillborn, and the average lifespan of a baby who survives birth is no more than her two weeks. But Sage, who was born on October 1, 2020 and weighed 4 pounds, 10 ounces, defied those expectations.
Sage celebrated her first birthday and then her second birthday. She’s become a big sister – the Springers welcomed another daughter, Annie, last year. And she inspired her parents to lay the foundation for the foundation “Extra To Love”, which has big plans to help children diagnosed with trisomy and their families. (Read more about Sage’s story. )
After Sage’s death, Emma wrote, “Her wild and foolish spirit is no longer limited by her earthly body.”
“She’s a very special girl. We miss her very much,” Hayden said earlier this week. “Through all of this, we hope that we can help future families and children diagnosed with trisomy receive the care they need and receive the right intervention at the right time. I think that’s what she did, showing that you can balance work and life, live a fulfilling life, and be happy with a smile. What we want people to know is that she was smiling and smiling. I am learning a skill and I believe it has brought immeasurable joy to our family and those around us.”
Hayden was playing on a mini-tour when Sage was born. He spent the last year in Latin America, then broke out in Canada and got a ticket to the Korn Ferry tour — or so he thought.
Hayden Springer won’t need to after opening with a 4-under 66 on a windy Thursday at Dyes Valley and then continuing with three more rounds in the 60s. That includes Monday’s 1-under 69 that sealed Springer’s spot in the top five. He tied for fourth place with Jacksonville University graduate Raul Pereda at 8 under.
The other three players to graduate from Q School and play on the PGA Tour are: Australia’s Harrison Endicott (15 under), a PGA Tour rookie last season; Trace Crowe from Auburn won the KFT this year. And Blaine Hale, a member of the University of Oklahoma’s 2017 NCAA title team, has only reached the world rankings once since turning pro in 2019.
All are wonderful stories. There’s nothing like Springer.
Springer carded three birdies on his front nine and built a cushion over several pursuers, including PGA Tour winner Satoshi Kodaira and reigning NCAA individual champion Fred Biondi.
“It was in the back of my mind that we would be able to earn Korn Ferry status next year,” Springer said. Get the job done. Yeah, we definitely knew we were playing for his PGA Tour card. ”
Bogeys on the 12th and 13th ended his hopes, but Springer bounced back with a birdie on the par-3 14th.th. Then, after hitting the tee shot in the water on the 17th par-4,th Springer short-sided his third shot into a greenside bunker on the hole, then went up and down for a clutch bogey.
“I definitely felt it in that bunker and that 4-foot tar,” Springer said. “This is one of the longest 4-footers I’ve ever had.”
Needing a bogey or better on the final round, Springer made par to ensure a spot on next year’s PGA Tour.
“I’ve basically worked my whole life to get into this position, and I think you all dream of it too,” Springer said. “We don’t seem to know exactly when that day will come, but today is that day.”
Springer said Monday night that the fact that Emma (who also played golf) and Annie, who he met during his first semester at Texas Tech University, were able to participate gave him the impetus to compete in the final stage.
Sage was there too, just in a different form.
“I thought of her several times,” Springer said of Sage. “It’s interesting to think about her mentally when you’re trying to play and there’s pressure and stuff, because it’s an emotional thing. But it’s a happy thought. That’s one of the things I think about her. And I just think about her smile. Just closing my eyes and thinking about her smiling keeps me grounded and back to a neutral state.
“I don’t think about golf, I don’t think about the last shot or the next shot, I just think about her and her smile.”
There were lots of smiles on this day too.