LANCASTER, OHIO – Spence Shines in Debut Win After Dramatic Playoff at The View Open

It was the kind of season opener the DGA Tour dreamed of—tight competition, late drama, and a playoff finish under the fading Ohio sun. Jack Spence, making his league debut, etched his name into the DGA record books with a gutsy playoff victory at The View Open, presented by Dude Wipes.

Spence carded an 82 alongside Kyler Messner and Auston Sorg, setting the stage for a three-man playoff after a rollercoaster back nine saw Spence double bogey both 17 and 18 to lose a commanding lead. But as quickly as the win slipped away, it returned—with a chip, a putt, and a moment of clutch brilliance.

The first playoff hole saw Sorg bow out after a bogey, while Spence and Messner each made par to force a second playoff hole. Both players found similar positions on their third shots, but Spence, unfazed by his earlier collapse, delivered a composed up-and-down for par. Messner could not match, two-putting for bogey and handing the win to the rookie.

Spence’s scorecard reflected his talent: 5 pars and 3 birdies (holes 3, 11, and 16) highlighted a round that could have ended in regulation if not for the late stumbles. Despite the heartbreak, his poise in the playoff was undeniable—and his post-round gesture of buying beers for the field cemented his arrival as a crowd favorite.

For Messner, the runner-up finish continued a strong stretch of form. The 2024 View Open champion showed consistency throughout, leading the field with 9 pars and a birdie en route to his 82. His even-keel demeanor and ability to grind out pars kept him in it until the final putt.

Meanwhile, Auston Sorg surprised many with a stellar performance, especially considering it was his first round of golf all year. With 6 pars and a birdie on 16, he showed he can hang with the league’s best—even without handicaps in place. The playoff appearance was a statement, and one that suggests Sorg could be a serious contender once the full format kicks in.

Just two strokes back, Shea McGuire finished solo fifth at 84, narrowly missing the playoff. Trevor Monk, the reigning Tour Champion, looked dangerous after posting a 42 on the front nine but couldn’t maintain momentum, fading to a 44 on the back to finish sixth.

Gianni Young and Will Eyman both posted 93s, each showing flashes of promise. Young rebounded from a tough front nine 49 with a composed 44 and tallied 4 pars on the day. Eyman matched his split of 49-44, including a birdie on 16 and 2 pars—a steady if unspectacular start to his 2025 campaign.

Seth Paszke opened strong with a 45 on the front but unraveled on the back with a 52 to finish at 97. The southpaw experiment continues in 2025, and with the season just getting started, there’s plenty of time to right the ship.

Mike McGuire, playing his first round with new clubs, struggled to find a rhythm. His 98 should be viewed as a growing pain, not a warning sign. Once he gets comfortable, few expect him to remain near the bottom for long.

And in last place… Dylan Sharp. Not much to say, but at least he showed up! Scorecards don’t always tell the whole story, but in Dylan’s case, they probably do.

Ineligible for points this week but impossible to ignore was Jamichael Billups, who posted a gross 76—the lowest round of the day. Billups, playing without handicap eligibility until league formats normalize, showed that his game is ready for elite competition. Once the system balances out, expect him to be a force.

With the opener in the books, the DGA Tour shifts its focus to the next stop—momentum in full swing, storylines already building, and a leaderboard tighter than ever.

If The View Open was a preview of what’s to come, the 2025 DGA season is shaping up to be something special.

The View Open was proudly presented by Dude Wipes—helping keep swings clean since 2025.