The Western Amateur Rich Harvest Farms, August 4-8. See thewesternamateur.com for more details, defending champion Beau Hossler returns. The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood, July 27-28-29, Pro-Am on the 26th visit Mistwoodgc.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st, from the Dave Esler renovation, stay clicked in right here for details on opening day. The Gog Blog  by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Facebook and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.             _____________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the Deere, at TPC Deere Run. Johndeereclassic.com.

The 45th John Deere Classic is in the books, and the charter plane to St. Andrews and The Open Championship is on it’s way across the big pond.

But not before Jordan Spieth won his second John Deere Classic title in just three years.

Spieth was not at his best, a 3 under par 68 was enough to get him into a playoff with veteran Tom Gillis who at age 47 was still looking for his first win.

Spieth won it on the second playoff hole when his drive hit the fairway, and Gillis ended up in the deep right rough and would have to split the trees to get it on the green. Gillis then hit his second shot in to the pond that runs along the left side of the green on the 18th hole.

Spieth backed off his 6 iron and hit 7 iron into the green, and then two putts later with Gillis still laying 5 on the green, won the John Deere Classic in dramatic fashion. Gillis by finishing second did earn the last exemption into the British Open, and will play in the championship for the third time.

Danny Lee who played in the final group finished one shot back, after taking a penalty stroke on the second hole, after lifting ball and forgetting that lift, clean and place, was not in play as it was on Saturday.

John Deere Classic board member Zach Johnson lipped out a putt on the 18th hole that that would have allowed him to join the playoff.

Click here to hear the post round press conference with Jordan Spieth.

Encompasschampionship.com

Jerry Smith shot a final round 2 under par 70, to win the final Encompass Championship at North Shore Country Club by 3 shots over David Frost.

Frost finished at 13 under par and hung on to third place by 1 shot over Wes Short Jr. who was at 12 under par. Defending champion Tom Lehman was 7 shots back at 9 under par.

This was the last Encompass Championship, since the company is stepping down as title sponsor. Should a new sponsor be found, a new course will be needed as well, to hold the championship in the Chicago area again in 2016.