John Deere Classic Kicks Off Minus Spieth, After Volunteer's Death

SILVIS, IL — The John Deere Classic kicked off Monday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, days after two-time champion Jordan Spieth announced he would once again skip the tournament to prepare for next week's Open Championship in Southport, England. That announcement came on the heels of another blow to the tournament after the death of a volunteer killed while helping prepare for the July 10-16 tournament.

Charles "Chuck" Austin, 68, of Rock Island, died Friday in a crash involving a four-wheel John Deer Gator, according to the Rock Island County coroner. In a statement, tournament director Clair Peterson called Austin "a very special member of our volunteer force," adding, "On behalf of Chuck’s 1,750 fellow volunteers, title sponsor John Deere, the tournament staff, the players, and the PGA TOUR, I want to express our deepest sympathies to Chuck’s wife, Ann, and all of his loved ones.”

Coroner Brian Gustafson told the Quad-City Times the Austin was driving the four-wheeler at the time of the crash, adding that officials believe Austin mistakenly thought the vehicle was in reverse when it was actually in drive. “When he hit the gas it lurched and went up under a parked refrigerated semitrailer," Gustafson said. The Silvis Police Department is investigating the accident.

Meanwhile, John Deere Classic officials reacted to Spieth's announcement, tweeting, "We will miss you next week @JordanSpieth — Good luck at The Open." Spieth won the tournament in 2013 and 2015, and has said he plans to return. “I love the tournament, I love the golf course and, more importantly, I love the people. While my schedule doesn’t permit me returning to the Quad Cities this year, I plan to be back in the future," he said, according to Fox Sports.

In late June, tournament officials announced that champions Bubba Watson and World Golf Hall-of-Fame member Davis Love III had committed to play in the classic, along with Kevin Streelman, Ollie Schniederjan, K.J. Choi and Bud Cauley.

“The John Deere Classic is thrilled to have the mix of elite veteran and young players coming to TPC Deere Run to compete on a great golf course in front of our tremendous fans,” Peterson said in a news release.

Two-time champ Jordan Spieth announced last week he would not be competing at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois. AP Photo/Jessica Hill