Jordan Spieth’s Quest for Season Redemption Begins at John Deere Classic

In 2013, a young and determined Jordan Spieth arrived at the John Deere Classic, needing a victory to qualify for The Open Championship. At just 19 years old, Spieth not only met this challenge but emerged victorious, marking his first PGA Tour win. More than a decade later, as he approaches his 31st birthday, Spieth returns to the John Deere Classic in search of a turning point in a season that has severely tested his patience and performance.

Spieth, a 13-time PGA Tour winner, will make his first appearance at the John Deere Classic since 2015, a tournament where he had also claimed his second career title. This late addition to his 2024 schedule represents the beginning of a crucial march towards the final major of the season, The Open Championship, in two weeks.

Reflecting on his decision, Spieth shared, “This year, I thought I would play here and take next week off and play The Open. Turns out, I’m adding and playing next week as well. My intent originally was to play here, come back to a place I have great memories, try and get in contention, try and do all the things I like to do before a major, then maybe get over there a little early, not playing a tournament and play a few rounds and then play The Open. But I’m going to end up playing The Open as my third in a row, which has been a good spot for majors for me in the past.”

This year has been a challenging one for Spieth, who hasn’t secured a top-25 finish since before the Masters in April. While his driving has improved significantly, other areas of his game have faltered. His iron play has declined to levels not seen since his disappointing 2019 season, his putting is barely above average, and his short game is nearing a career-low. To complicate matters, Spieth has been dealing with a potential wrist injury, adding to the adversity he’s faced this season.

What makes 2024 particularly concerning for Spieth is the underperformance in tournaments where he usually excels. Pebble Beach yielded no significant results, and he missed the cut at the Masters for the second time in three years, after previously making the weekend in his first eight appearances. He also failed to make the cut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, a tournament where he had top-10 finishes in 2021 and 2022, and his play at the Charles Schwab Challenge in his hometown Dallas area was similarly disappointing.

Spieth acknowledged the frustrations of the season, stating, “This year has been a bit frustrating because I feel like I’ve been a better player than any of the previous few years. I just haven’t produced the results yet, had it all come together. It’s been a patience test this year, but it’s a better place than kind of having no idea what to do, where I’ve lived before. So, I can be patient if I’m confident about what I’m working on.”

Despite his struggles, Spieth is still in a good position to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, currently ranked 59th in the season-long standings. His podium finish at The Sentry in January and the increased FedEx Cup points available at signature events have kept him on the edge of qualifying for the top 50 and the lucrative signature events in 2025, while also avoiding missing the postseason entirely.

The next three weeks are crucial for Spieth’s season and could redefine his trajectory. Golf’s unpredictable nature means that a few strong performances could transform his narrative from “maybe he’s no longer that Spieth” to “holy crap, Spieth has as many majors as Rory.” This may sound improbable, especially considering Spieth has only won twice in the past seven years, but he has always thrived under pressure and in seemingly impossible situations.

The John Deere Classic was a pivotal moment early in his career, and links golf, as played in the Scottish Open and The Open Championship, has often brought out the best in him regardless of his form. This week at the John Deere Classic presents an opportunity for Spieth to rediscover his game and reignite his confidence, potentially setting the stage for a remarkable comeback in the weeks to come.