Jordan Spieth's return to 2024 John Deere Classic sparks 'gangbuster' ticket sales, claims tournament director: "There’s a buzz in the community"

Jordan Spieth is not the leader of the field at the John Deere Classic in terms of his place in the world rankings, but he is the leader in terms of fan expectations. Spieth has a tremendous track record at the event, even though it has been nine years since he last participated.

Spieth (32nd) is the fourth highest-ranked player in the John Deere Classic field, a list led by defending champion Sepp Straka (24th). However, a three-time major champion and two-time winner at the TPV Deere Run, Spieth, is the public's favorite.

This was explained by Andrew Lehman, tournament director, during an interview for the PGA Tour news service:

"In the 24 hours after he [Jordan Spieth] committed two weeks ago, ticket sales went gangbusters. To have him back after nine years, there’s a buzz around the grounds. There’s a buzz in the community."

Spieth finished the first round of the John Deere Classic with a score of 2 under. His performance included four birdies and two bogeys. With the round remaining, Spieth sits T48, nine strokes behind the leader.

The 2024 John Deere Classic is led by Hayden Springer, who has a score of 11 under through 17th hole. His closest pursuer is Harry Hall, who finished his round with a score of 8 under.

---

A look at Jordan Spieth's record at the John Deere Classic

The 2024 edition of the John Deere Classic is only Jordan Spieth's fifth. However, Spieth has turned in some historic performances during his time at TPC Deere Run in Silvis Illinois.

Spieth's first experience at the John Deere Classic was in 2012, still playing as an amateur. On that occasion, he made the cut and finished T58 with a score of 6 under, 14 strokes behind champion Zach Johnson.

Spieth returned to TPC Deere Run in 2013 to win the event before his 20th birthday. It was his first professional victory and, in the process, he became the first PGA Tour teenager winner since 1931.

In 2014 Spieth returned for a third time to the John Deere Classic. Although he was unable to successfully defend his title he left a good performance, finishing T7. A year later, he lifted the title again with a score of 20 under.

As a curious detail, Spieth's two victories in the John Deere Classic were in playoffs. In the first, he defeated David Hearn and Zach Johnson, while in the second he defeated Tom Gillis.

Spieth has played 17 rounds at the John Deere Classic (including the first round of the 2024 edition) and has carded 12 with scores in the 60s. His best score has been 61 (third round of the 2015 edition) while his worst was 72 (third round of the 2012 edition).