Unstoppable Spieth wins again
Jordan Spieth won the John Deere Classic after a playoff with Tom Gillis
Jordan Spieth completed his Open preparation with a playoff victory over fellow American Tom Gillis in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois.
Jordan Spieth completed his Open preparation with a playoff victory over fellow American Tom Gillis in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois.
Spieth came through at the second extra hole against 46-year-old Gillis to claim his fourth victory of the season and to narrow the gap on Rory McIlroy at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Spieth carried a two-shot lead into the final round after a career best of 61 on Saturday. But he opened the door for the chasing pack with a lacklustre front nine of level par on Sunday.
Tom Gillis was the man to take advantage. The veteran, who had only two previous top-three finishes on the PGA Tour from 171 starts, moved two ahead of the field
But Spieth had another gear in reserve. He birdied four holes on the run for home to match Gillis’ clubhouse total of 20-under-par.
Both men parred the first hole of the resulting sudden-death playoff. But, when Gillis fired his tee shot into the rough then his second into water on the second extra hole, the game was up and the win was Spieth’s. Afterwards, the 21-year-old was quick to silence those who criticised his decision to play in this event the week before The Open Championship.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“I came here for a reason, and we accomplished that reason, and certainly have some momentum going into next week,” he said. “I’ve got plenty left in the tank.”
Gillis can console himself with the fact that his runner’s up finish earned him a spot in The Open Championship at St Andrews. For much of the week, he’d insisted he wouldn’t go to Scotland if he won the last available exemption, but after the tournament he had a change of heart.
“I think I was just talking big,” he said. “I don’t have any sweaters. I have nothing but a passport.”
Danny Lee might have made the playoff had he not incurred a penalty for lifting his ball on the fourth fairway. Lift, clean and place had been in operation on Saturday and, in a momentary lapse of concentration, the youngster went through those motions on the 4th, despite the rule not being in place on Sunday.
“I wasn’t thinking, I just put a tee behind the ball, picked it up and thought, ‘oh, wait a minute…’”
John Deere Classic specialist Zach Johnson had another good week, he finished the event in a tie for third with Lee, one shot back.
John Deere Classic TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois Jul 9-12 Purse: $4,700,000, par 70
1 Jordan Spieth (USA) 71 64 61 68 264 $846,000 2 Tom Gillis (USA) 66 65 69 64 264 $507,600 T3 Zach Johnson (USA) 66 68 66 65 265 $272,600 T3 Danny Lee (NZ) 68 68 62 67 265 $272,600 T5 Chris Stroud (USA) 68 68 67 63 266 $171,550 T5 Justin Thomas (USA) 63 67 69 67 266 $171,550 T5 Johnson Wagner (USA) 68 63 68 67 266 $171,550 T8 Kevin Chappell (USA) 68 69 64 67 268 $131,600 T8 Daniel Summerhays (USA) 65 67 68 68 268 $131,600 T8 Steve Wheatcroft (USA) 67 66 70 65 268 $131,600 T8 Will Wilcox (USA) 66 66 69 67 268 $131,600
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
Verne Lundquist Lifts Lid On Emotional Masters Farewell With Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods shared a poignant moment with the legendary broadcaster beside the 16th green in the final round at Augusta
By Ben Fleming Published
-
John Catlin Wins Back-To-Back Asian Tour Titles Whilst LIV Golfer Likely To Remain Outside World's Top 100 Despite Strong Showing
The American cruised to the Saudi Open title by seven shots, while David Puig is likely to stay outside the world's top 100 despite finishing fifth
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Who Is Akshay Bhatia's Girlfriend?
Bhatia's fiancée was once his caddie despite knowing "nothing about golf" when they first met...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Eric Cole What's In The Bag?
We take a look into the bag of 2023 PGA Tour Rookie Of The Year, Eric Cole
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
Nick Dunlap What's In The Bag?
We take a look at the clubs that the record-breaking young American is currently using...
By Dan Parker Published
-
Matthieu Pavon What's In The Bag?
We take a look at what clubs the first French PGA Tour winner is currently using...
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Jake Knapp What's In The Bag?
We take a look into the bag of winning PGA Tour rookie Jake Knapp
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
Who Is Akshay Bhatia's Caddie?
Who currently carries the bag for American Akshay Bhatia? We take a look here
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
8 Things You Didn't Know About Justin Suh
Get to know the American Justin Suh a little better with these eight facts.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Youngest Player To Win The Masters
Several fresh-faced players have worn the Green Jacket, but Tiger Woods holds the record as the youngest with his 1997 win
By Mike Hall Published