In a storybook performance fitting for his 21st birthday, Spain's Jose Luis Ballester became his country's first U.S. Amateur champion with a wire-to-wire victory over Iowa's Noah Kent at storied Hazeltine National outside Minneapolis. The senior-to-be at Arizona State captured the lead with an early birdie and never looked back, closing out the 2-up triumph over the hard-charging Kent.

Ballester showed remarkable poise throughout the pressure-packed final, maintaining his composure despite the significance of the occasion. He joins compatriot and good friend Jon Rahm, the former Sun Devil and current world No. 1, as the only Spaniards to hoist a USGA trophy, underlining the rising talent emerging from the European swing nation.

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The birthday boy's latest crown adds to an impressive resume that saw him ranked in the top 10 globally as an amateur. With a highly decorated college career still ahead of him alongside tremendous potential, Ballester seems poised to one day join Rahm on golf's highest professional stage. For now, he will surely cherish this historic breakthrough victory on one of the most memorable days of his young career.

Jose Luis Ballester win at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP)

Speaking to Golfaq after the victory, Ballester reflected on what it meant to join the pantheon of Spanish greats in winning this illustrious title. "We have many great Spaniards, many great legends,” Ballester said. “Being able to add my name into that history is pretty sweet."

It was revealed that both Ballester and Kent will receive exemptions into next year's Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in recognition of their finals performances. This is an incredible opportunity for the young Spaniard to showcase his game on golf's biggest stages.

According to my sources, Ballester actually trailed in multiple matches late into Sunday's final rounds before finding another gear to surge ahead. He credits wearing the colors of Spain with boosting his confidence in this pressure-cooked final showdown. By lunch, he had opened up a seemingly insurmountable 4-hole lead in jumping out to an early lead he would not relinquish.

Jose Luis Ballester hoists The Havemeyer Trophy after winning the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine. (USGA/Chris Keane)

While Ballester emerged victorious, Golfaq also wants to commend the tough fight shown by Iowa's Noah Kent. The Florida native entered as a considerable underdog ranked 560th globally but refused to go away, continuing to chip away at Ballester's lead throughout the entire grueling afternoon.

"You don’t want to be 4 down going into an 18-hole match, but it’s been done before, and I kept telling myself that," Kent said. "Everybody in my corner kept telling myself that. I fought like crazy out there."

Kent mounted an incredible comeback by draining an eagle putt on the 25th hole before going on a roar, winning three of four holes to pull within a single shot of the lead. He showed the heart of a champion in battling to the very end against all odds in his highly impressive U.S. Amateur debut.

Kent's eagle on No. 25 ignited his charge, as he won three of the next four holes to close within one shot heading to the iconic 16th. There, Ballester finally showed cracks, hitting rough off the tee on his way to a costly bogey.

But the Spanish star steadied himself down the stretch. On 17, his mammoth tee shot set up an easy par to maintain his one-shot lead.

"I was juiced. I could feel the adrenaline in my veins, in my forearms," a relieved yet energized Ballester afterwards.

Kent left himself too much to do on 18 after finding sand and rough, and his uphill birdie try sailed long. Ballester was overcome with emotion upon realizing his victory, thinking of those cheering him on from afar including his ill grandmother.

In reflecting on his emotions after the victory, Ballester said "It was a hard summer back in Spain, so I feel like all those emotions kind of came out." His poise under intense pressure was fitting given what he and his loved ones have endured.

While Kent wore Hawkeye colors in an attempt to become Iowa's first winner, Ballester said he drew inspiration from the lively gallery backing his opponent. "When the other guy is feeling it and grabbing momentum, you can feel depressed. But it's important to face it with a nice mindset," revealed the champion.

Kent reached his first title match in impressive fashion, having led from the second round onwards until running into Ballester's hot streak. His defeat of Illinois standout and Big Ten foe Jackson Buchanan in the semis was further proof of the incredible season he put together.

One of those days you just didn’t want to end!

Check out some of the outstanding shots from our U.S. Amateur championship match 👏 pic.twitter.com/fbiXRQKqbi

— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2024

After his semifinal win, Ballester said he received an encouraging call from European legend and fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. "That gave me a big boost of confidence heading into the final," Ballester revealed.

His stellar short game was on full display throughout the week's matches at the picturesque Hazeltine layout. "I think it's in the blood," Ballester said of Spanish golfers' artistic touch around the greens. "It has to be."

This historic venue has hosted many memorable championships since first opening in 1962. Its latest staging of the U.S. Amateur saw a record 312 players compete across two coursing, setting the stage for Ballester's ultimate triumph.

"Mom, this is for you!" 🏆

There's no better way to celebrate a 21st birthday than as a U.S. Amateur champion! pic.twitter.com/RCiRd3nBaS

— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2024

By joining golfing greats like Jones, Palmer, Nicklaus and Woods as a U.S. Amateur champion, Ballester has surely kicked off what I expect to be an illustrious career, celebrating Spain's first male title at this prestigious tournament. He was simply the best amateur in the world this week.

Thank you for joining me here at Golfaq.com. Be sure to check back for continued coverage of Ballester and more of the world's top amateur stars.