Spieth back where it started

Rising star Jordan Spieth will return to the scene where he announced his intentions to the world when he tees off at the John Deere Classic this week.
In what was one of the best feel-good stories in golf last year, a 19-year-old Spieth survived a five-hole play-off with 2012 champion Zach Johnson and Canadian David Hearn to win his first PGA event.
He became youngest winner of a major pro tour event since Ralph Guldahl won the Santa Monica Open in 1931.
Spieth had been invited to compete as an amateur the year before and attributed those opportunities he received to his eventual success.
“Other tournaments need to look at this one as an example,” said Spieth.
“There’s no way I win last year without getting those starts (off amateur invites). This tournament does it right.”
Spieth was six strokes off the lead going into the final round last year, was nursing a sore wrist and made bogey on the first hole.
Then everything came together, and he holed a bunker shot on the last hole of regulation play to earn his spot in the playoff.
“I had two shots that were more important than the bunker shot, but that one was the most exciting,” said Spieth. “It was such a shock.”
Spieth and Johnson, who is on the JDC board of directors, were partners in last fall’s Presidents Cup matches and Spieth will play in Johnson’s charity event on Sunday and Monday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before arriving at TPC Deere Run.
Since his win at Deere Run, Spieth finished second in both the Tournament of Champions and Masters, tied for fourth in The Players Championship, tied for 17th in the U.S. Open and climbed to No. 6 in the world rankings.
He’s the highest-ranked player in the JDC field.
“I’ve been so set on looking forward,” he said. “I want to be the No. 1 player in the world, and I had opportunities to win again and didn’t pull it off, so that goal is still out there.”
At the JDC, he’ll face another strong field that includes Johnson, three-time winner Steve Stricker and Winfield’s Kevin Streelman.
Latest
-
European Tour
Justin Harding seizes chance in Scotland after LIV Golf sanction suspended
The South African was initially banned from the Scottish Open but after his late reprieve, shot an opening 65 to set the early clubhouse lead.
-
The Open
Home hopes and in-form stars – 5 players to watch at the Open
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Scottie Scheffler will all hope to be in the mix for the Claret Jug.
-
The Open
5 major talking points ahead of the 150th Open Championship
Can Tiger Woods contend for a third Open victory at St Andrews?
-
The Open
Open Championship looks set to deliver plenty of drama
St Andrews hosts the only major in 2022 where a career grand slam is not on the line.
-
The Open
From Seve to Tiger, great St Andrews moments as 150th Open heads to home of golf
Costantino Rocca and Arnold Palmer are also among those to light up the Old Course over the years.
-
European Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick relishing Scottish Open return after Brookline triumph
The 27-year-old from Sheffield has not competed in a Tour event since winning the US Open last month.
-
News
Justin Thomas: Beating LIV Golf rebel would make Scottish Open win even sweeter
Ian Poulter, Justin Harding, Adrian Otaegui and Branden Grace successfully appealed to be able to compete at the tournament.
-
The Open
Tiger Woods feeling stronger as he warms up for Open Championship at St Andrews
The 15-time major winner has twice lifted the Claret Jug at the Old Course.
-
News
Billy Horschel accuses LIV Golf players of being ‘hypocrites and liars’
Horschel made an impassioned defence of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour ahead of the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open.
-
European Tour
Ian Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.