(Reuters) - Jordan Spieth sent a message to his critics he had not made a mistake by warming up for the British Open with a tournament in the United States and showed he was ready to challenge for the title by claiming the John Deere Classic in a playoff on Sunday.
Spieth, already the winner of this year's Masters and U.S. Open, defeated unheralded fellow-American Tom Gillis on the second playoff hole at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
"I came here for a reason and we accomplished that reason and certainly have some momentum going into next week," said Spieth after some had questioned his returning to the site of his first PGA Tour win in 2013 to play the week before a major championship.