Jordan Spieth: A Lookback at His 7 Career PGA TOUR Wins
By Ryan Andrade
2015 John Deere Classic
Spieth gets tuned up for Open by winning at a place he has fond memories of.
If Jordan Spieth wasn’t already famous worldwide, he certainly was after winning his second straight major championship. After a very busy early season schedule, Spieth decided to take some much needed rest.
Jordan Spieth did not return to tournament golf until three weeks later at the site of his first win, the John Deere Classic. Some people questioned Spieth for getting tuned up for playing the Open Championship by playing the week before in the Quad Cities. That would leave him a long plane ride, and a short period of time to get ready for the Open at St. Andrews.
Spieth seemed to take more of the approach that the best way to get tuned up for a major championship was to get in contention the week before. So that is exactly what he did.
It wasn’t really the start Spieth was looking for, as he shot an even-par 71. The John Deere Classic is known for being a place where birdies can be had. If you aren’t shooting in the 60’s the you’re going to get lapped. Competitive rust was the most likely culprit after taking as much time off as he did. Spieth was now behind the eight ball.
He was able to bounce back in his second round to get closer by firing a 7-under-par 64. In the 3 times Spieth has played this event, he did not break 70 in the first round. In all three instances, including in 2015, he was 7-under-par after 36 holes.
The real magical round came on Saturday. Spieth shot a career low 10-under-par 61 to take the lead heading into the final round. Me trying to describe it, wouldn’t do it justice. So take a look at the complete highlight package from one of the best rounds you will ever see.
Spieth now had to deal with being the far and away favorite to win this tournament. People expecting you to win can be a lot of pressure even for the best in the game.
Jordan Spieth didn’t get off to the best of starts, and that brought a lot more guys into the picture after Spieth shot just even-par on his first nine. Usually when the leader is shooting even par it is pretty good, but not at the TPC Deere Run. Even if you’re the leader, if you’re not making birdies then you’re going backwards.
Tom Gillis had posted at 20-under-par in the clubhouse, so Spieth knew where he had to get to. After a bogey at 11, Spieth added back to back birdies at 13 and 14 to get into red figures on the day. He still had some ground to make up, so that forced him to get aggressive when he was at 16.
It was just another to add to the list of big time final round shots for Spieth. He would ride the momentum to birdie the par-5 17th hole next, which would bring him to 20-under-par and tied with Tom Gillis in the clubhouse. Spieth faced about a 35 foot birdie putt on the 18th to win, but just couldn’t get it to go. That put Spieth in yet another playoff.
On the first playoff hole, Spieth had another putt to win. This one was from about 25 feet. It was tracking, but as it approached the cup it just lipped out on the left edge. Both players would then return to the 18th tee after making pars.
Gillis found himself in trouble right of the fairway. He got a little aggressive with the shot, and took the water on instead of laying up. The thick rough just shut the club face, and his ball scooted through the fairway into the hazard on the left.
From there, Spieth was able to play sensible and make his par to grab his 4th win of the season. It was now his 2nd John Deere Classic as well. This was the tournament that granted him full status on the PGA TOUR two years prior, so he wants to repay the fans that cheered him on in anyway possible. Safe to say he will be coming to this event for a long time.
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