2024 John Deere Classic: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Deere Run
2024JohnDeere/PowerRank/3. 3. OWGR: 32nd. FedEx Cup: 59th. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth will get a hero’s welcome this week returning to the John Deere Classic for the first time in nine years.
So many big names have gotten their feet wet on the PGA Tour at the Deere. Spieth got a sponsor’s exemption as an amateur in 2012 while at the University of Texas. He made good on the invitation, carding three rounds under par en route to T-58th.
That was just the beginning.
A reason this tournament employs the mantra “Magic happens here” is because of the theatrics Spieth provided in 2013.
Shortly before his 20th birthday, Spieth holed out from a bunker on the 72nd hole to force a playoff. The ball may have been rocketing to the water if it didn’t find the bottom of the cup. Spieth didn’t waste his luck, beating native son Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a playoff.
Spieth admirably defended his tournament title in 2014 with a T-7th (71-64-67-66) finish.
The Texan doubled up for another win in 2015 (71-64-61-68), this time coming back on Sunday to catch Tom Gillis, who he beat in a playoff.
“I am really looking forward to returning to the Quad Cities and playing in the John Deere Classic,” Spieth was quoted in a John Deere Classic press release. “TPC Deere Run holds special memories for me, professionally and personally, and I can’t wait to return with my family to relive many of them and pursue another win.”
Spieth didn’t come back in 2016 to defend his title. Better late than never to stop back in the Quad Cities, right?
Spieth’s stature in the game has dipped since then and he now arrives needing to find some form heading to The Open Championship.
We last saw the 30-year-old limp to a T-63rd at the Travelers Championship a couple weeks ago. Spieth hasn’t finished in the top 10 since early April.
He still has a high position in this week’s power rankings due to his course history and a weak field. If coming to a place like this doesn’t light a fire under him, I don’t know what will before he heads to Royal Troon later this month.
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