Jordan Spieth recalls John Deere win

Last year’s John Deere Classic was more than Jordan Spieth’s first PGA Tour victory, it was the win that launched his career and where the world discovered a star.

Following the win, the fruits of victory for the Texan were plentiful.

Jordan Spieth received

Exemption into the 2013 Open

Exemption into the 2013 PGA Championship

Exemption into the 2014 Masters Tournament

Full PGA TOUR Membership for two years

Enough FedExCup points to assure himself a spot in the Playoffs

On his return Jordan Spieth displayed a humbling gratitude for the event.

“Tournaments need to look at this event as an example because opportunities were given to me like what I had in college, which was to come here and play and test my game against the best players in the world,” said Spieth.

“This is just a very, very special tournament close to my heart.” – Jordan Spieth.

“There’s no way that I win last year without that opportunity the year before, and there’s no way that I’m able to feel comfortable and make the adjustment on the PGA TOUR so quickly without the few starts that I was given.

“For you to do it when it wasn’t home for me just meant the world to me. I don’t know where I’d be without those starts, and I wouldn’t be standing here. This is just a very, very special tournament close to my heart, not because I won.  It already was before that, this tournament just does it right.”

Jordan Spieth’s 2013 triumph

On his way to victory Jordan Spieth holed his bunker shot on the 18th, sending him to a play-off with Zach Johnson and David Hearn that he eventually won the fifth extra hole.

“I remember looking up and just saying, ‘just hit the pin, find the hole’, and it just did it, and it was just such a shock.  But yeah, that shot was just so cool, and then I didn’t expect it, found the pin, went in,” said Spieth.

“On the plane ride I was saying, I’m going to this major and now I’m in the PGA. That’s what our sport is about, it’s that where your legacy is left – in major championships.”

Take a look at what happened when Jordan Spieth recreated the shot for CNN.