Sensational Spieth at it again

Jordan Spieth beat Tom Gillis on the second play-off hole to complete the perfect tune-up for The Open by winning the John Deere Classic.
The Masters and U.S Open champion will be bidding for his third straight major title at St Andrews next week, and he heads to Scotland in the best possible way after claiming his fourth PGA Tour win of the season.
Having held a two-shot lead overnight, Spieth fired a three-under round of 68 to finish on 20-under, a mark he was joined on by the unheralded Gillis who carded a closing 64.
Spieth had a chance to finish the contest at the first play-off hole, but lipped his birdie putt. With the pair heading to the 18th for a third time on Sunday, it was Spieth who held firm, registering a par after Gillis found the water with his approach.
After carding a career-best 10-under 61 on Saturday, the Texan’s second title at TPC Deere Run in three years looked in jeopardy after he failed to get moving on the opening nine on Sunday, with a bogey at the first one of two dropped shots in the first nine holes.
Spieth surrendered a further shot at the 11th to fall off the pace, but four birdies in five holes from the 13th to the 17th – which included a chip-in from the fringe at 16 – saw the 21-year-old force a play-off after he was unable to sink a 30-foot putt for the win at 18.
Gills, who at 46 was bidding to become the oldest first-time winner on the PGA Tour in 20 years, had set the early clubhouse pace after a round of eight-under 64 which was powered by a red-hot front nine that included six birdies and a lone bogey at the ninth.
Three more birdies followed on the back nine, before a bogey at the par-three 16th pulled Gills back to 20-under.
Zach Johnson (65) and Danny Lee (67) just missed out on a place in the play-off after finishing on 19-under, and both players will have reason to feel disappointed to fall just short.
Lee bogeyed the last to drop back from 20-under, while Johnson failed to pick up a shot on the last seven holes, having started the day in top form with seven birdies and a single birdie in the first 11 holes.
Chris Stroud (63), Johnson Wagner (67), and Justin Thomas (67), finished in a tie for sixth on 18-under.
Latest
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.