SILVIS, Ill. – Sitting behind a trophy, his wife and in-laws in front of him, Sean O’Hair was very much a man at peace.

He’s having the success his father demanded, winning the John Deere Classic on Sunday for his first victory in just his 18th career PGA Tour start, a day before his 23rd birthday. But he’s found a way to win and be happy, a balance that didn’t seem possible when he was growing up.

O’Hair shot a 6-under 65 to finish at 16-under 268 total on the TPC at Deere Run. He earned $720,000 and a spot in the British Open.

O’Hair is familiar to golf fans in Maine as he competed in the last two Greater Bangor Opens. He finished in a four-way tie for third last year and finished in a tie for second Billy Downes of Enfield, Conn., in 2003.

Hank Kuehne (68) and Robert Damron (67) finished a stroke behind, and J.L Lewis (72), 2004 winner Mark Hensby (64) and Wes Short (66) were another shot back.

The tournament lost much of its buzz after Michelle Wie failed in her attempt to become the first woman to make a PGA Tour cut in 60 years, missing by two strokes. But some of the electricity was back Sunday thanks to O’Hair.

O’Hair may look like he’s still in high school, but his personality and game are well beyond his years, forged by a childhood that was anything but. His father, Marc, pushed him relentlessly, seemingly more interested in raising a pro golfer than a son.

O’Hair was up running every day at 5 a.m., and on the course from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For every bogey on his scorecard, his father made him run a mile. He was pushed to turn pro at 17, before he’d even graduated from high school.

O’Hair hasn’t spoken to his father since Dec. 28, 2002, O’Hair’s wedding day.