Jordan Spieth returns to the Quad Cities for the first time since winning the 2015 John Deere Classic.
For now, it’s a sentimental trip down memory lane for him, taking in his history at TPC Deere Run.
Ahead of the tournament, Spieth spoke to the media, reflecting on his victories in 2013 and 2015 and talking about how much has changed for him.
“I may have spent a little more time on the course then, but overall my days on the course haven’t changed that much,” Spieth said Wednesday. “Obviously off the course things have changed a lot.”
he It has grown big From a 21-year-old kid on tour.
“I guess I try to be that kid,” he said. “Every time I hit a tee shot, I try to be that kid.”
Spieth is now a father of two and has 13 PGA Tour victories.
Prior to the tournament, he, his son Sammy and daughter Sophie went to “The Big Dig.”
“Michael [Greller] “He was the one who had the most fun,” he said. “He and his two kids would go out driving the tractor. It was a lot of fun. It kind of came full circle, you know? I was 21 the last time I was here, and now I’m taking my two kids to the Big Dig.”
He explained that returning to the John Deere Classic had been on the table since early spring, but thankfully the timing worked out with his schedule.
“I was so excited to be coming back to Deer this year and to be here is surreal,” Spieth said Wednesday.
“This place really does feel like a second home. The welcome I’ve received since coming back for the Zach Johnson charity event and then the last few days on the golf course here has been amazing. I don’t get that kind of support anywhere else outside of DFW, so hopefully it can continue this week and I can pick up where I left off.”
Spieth has only played in the event four times: he was awarded a sponsor’s exemption at the John Deere Classic in 2012 after finishing tied for 58th, won in 2013, tied for seventh in 2014 and won again in 2015.
Will he have similar luck in his fifth start? A lot has changed for him since his last start in the Quad Cities.
Spieth hasn’t had his best season on Tour in 2024, playing in 17 events with just three top 10s and three top 25s. The 30-year-old Spieth has also missed the cut five times.
He finished tied for 63rd at last week’s Travelers Championship. He was tied for 41st at the U.S. Open. Spieth missed the cut at The Memorial, Jack Nicklaus’ signature event.
Spieth’s last top 10 finish was when he tied for 10th at the Valero Texas Open. His form has been up and down since then, and despite his performances over the past few months, Spieth remains one of the top betting favorites.
Still, this is a very important week for him. Spieth is currently 59th in the FedEx Cup standings and will need some success in the coming weeks if he wants to play beyond the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Instagram: @savannah_leigh_sports
