Making his case as the hottest golfer on the PGA Tour, and possibly the world at this point, Jordan Spieth has proven that he commits to every tournament he plays in.
He wins the 2015 John Deere Classic on the second playoff hole against Tom Gillis, recording his second victory in three years in Silvis, Illinois. The 21-year-old Texan also earns his fourth win of the season, the first player to do so before the British Open since Tiger Woods in 2013.
Tom Gillis, who was attempting to become the oldest PGA Tour player to win his first tournament at the age of 46, put his approach shot on the second playoff hole into the water hazard, which allowed Spieth to make his par and seal his seventh professional victory. Gillis receives the last exemption into the British Open for the PGA Tour and the only one to be given out in this week’s event.
Spieth started the tournament with a mediocre Even-Par 71 in the first round, but immediately kicked into another gear in Friday’s second round shooting an impressive Seven-Under. He set a personal record on Day Three recording a bogey-free round of 61, the lowest of his career, leading to Sunday’s three-under 68; he birdied four of his last six holes in regulation before winning in the playoff.
Jordan Spieth is your winner (again) at the John Deere Classic (again). #QuickHits http://t.co/4D5vCbRffT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2015
Danny Lee, winner of last week’s Greenbrier Classic, mistakenly picked up his ball on the fourth fairway believing that the “lift, clean, and place” rule was in effect since it already was during Saturday’s third round. The mental error resulted in a stroke penalty and a tied-for-third finish with 2012 champion Zach Johnson. Defending champion Brian Harman ended his attempt for a repeat title in a tie for 24th.
The golfing world will now shift its eyes on the 144th Open Championship, which begins Thursday July 16th at St. Andrews.