Jordan Spieth is allowed to feel a little nostalgic at TPC Deere Run. After all, 11 years ago, Spieth teed off at Silvis as a temporary member. 77 holes later, the rookie 19-year-old’s name was on everyone’s lips.

As if a hole-out from the 18th bunker wasn’t enough, Spieth also rolled the 26-feet putt in the fifth playoff hole that stood between him and his first silverware. “You’ve got to tip your cap to Jordan,” Zach Johnson, Spieth’s future Ryder Cup captain and then his competitor said afterward. The Dallas resident earned his Tour card on Sunday becoming the first teenager to win on Tour in 82 years.

Now a father of two with a receding hairline, Spieth still thinks of the kid from 2013. But he has no illusion; life has changed. Even if he is eligible in almost all the events, body and off-course duties don’t allow him the luxury to travel. 

Regardless, when Spieth tees off on the 10th on Thursday, he wants to channel the carefree energy of teenager on Tour. Sitting at the press conference at this year’s John Deere Classic, the 30-year-old admitted, “I try to think about being that kid every time I tee it up. Rookie year out here was such a blur. Started out with no status and ended up after this week having full status.” 

But it’s been a while since the world has seen that leaping, roaring, Jordan Spieth of 2013. It might have something to do with the fact that the three-time major winner has not created iconic moments like the 72nd-hole bunker shot in recent times.

It’s a strange thing that Jordan Spieth headlines a field yet is not the bettor’s favorite. Will TPC Deere Run be where he turns the clock back? Most on the Internet shake their head. 

Netizens have lost their confidence in Jordan Spieth

Only a few venues stand on par with the TPC Deere Run for Jordan Spieth. Harbour Town Golf Links was one such, where Spieth had one win, a runner-up, and another top-10 finish. After his missed cut at the Masters, Spieth was expected to find his footing when the Tour reached South Carolina. But a T39  was the best the 13-time PGA Tour winner could manage. 

At Colonial, the 30-year-old has eight top-10s from his 12 appearances, which includes a silverware and three runner-ups. But when the time came last month, Jordan Spieth barely pulled off a T37 in his native Fort Worth. 

Some believe it’ll be the same at the John Deere Classic this year. One user opines there is only a ‘50-50’ chance that ‘he makes the cut’. Some disagree. “Missed cut”.  “Cough ** Cough ** choke **choke”.  “Doubtful”. Negative sentiment prevails on the Internet. 

Don’t get fooled by that, however. That doesn’t betray the current mood at Silvis. Ticket sales have skyrocketed since Spieth’s announcement. The man himself got that vibe in the pro-am. “I don’t have support like this anywhere outside of (his hometown) of Dallas-Fort Worth. So hopefully that continues this week and I can pick up where I left off.”

Despite the undercurrent of cynicism, some still remember the wizardry from a 19-year-old kid. “I’ll never forget his bunker shot to make the playoff and then won in the playoff hole right after I believe,” one of them commented. 

Interestingly, both his victories at TPC Deere Run came via a playoff. Spieth, co-incidentally, has been paired with Zach Johnson and J.T. Poston this year. The three-time major winner will tee off on 8.29 AM ET from the 10th.