MAINEVILLE, Ohio -- Anthony Paolucci won the Junior PGA Championship on Saturday, beating fellow Dallas player Jordan Spieth with a 6-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff at TPC River's Bend.
Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., won the girls' division by seven strokes.
The 15-yeare-old Paolucci closed with a 1-over 73 to match Spieth (68) at 12-under 276. Paolucci made a double bogey on No. 17, then made a 2-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to force the third playoff in tournament history.
"I stopped that 64-degree wedge on the last hole a dime pretty much. Thank goodness I had that club in my bag," Paolucci said. "Then after Jordan and I both missed putts on the first playoff hole, I made a putt on the second to win."
Both players made par on No. 18, the first playoff hole. They then moved to No. 7, a par-3. Both players hit the green, but only Paolucci was able to convert his putt.
"I was so happy to make that 6-footer," Paolucci said. "I struggled coming down the back nine, but pulled it out in the end when it mattered.
"I thought after the first few holes it was going to be a great round, but then a few missed putts and it was tough. It was a battle out there today. I'm so happy to win, but wish I could have played a little better."
Spieth overcame a five-hole deficit in the final round.
"All I wanted to do coming here was make the Junior Ryder Cup, and I did that," Spieth said. "I played a consistent round with no bogeys and that is definitely what I wanted to do. I would have liked for a couple of more putts to drop and I left a couple short, too."
Jeffrey Kang of Fullerton, Calif., and Luke Guthrie of Quincy, Ill., tied for third, a stroke back. Kang shot a 68, and Guthrie had a 74.
The 15-year-old Frasier finished with a 68 for an 11-under 277 total.
"This is the biggest tournament that I have ever won," Frasier said. "It is especially good because I was in the lead all four days. I am usually coming from behind when I win so it is nice to win when I have been in front of everyone else."
She made five birdies on the back nine.
