PGA Tour clashes with Rio Games

Jordan Spieth might have no choice but to miss next year's John Deere Classic - which is the same week as the Olympics.

The PGA Tour has its 2015-16 schedule, which includea several changes because of golf's return to the Olympics next August in Rio de Janeiro.

The Travelers Championship, John Deere Classic and Wyndham Championship will be played during the three-week Olympic window.

Spieth chose to play the John Deere Classic this year, even though it was a week before his bid for the third leg of the grand slam at the British Open. He not only won the Deere, the 21-year-old Texan missed a playoff by one shot at St. Andrews

He also won the John Deere in 2013 to earn his full PGA Tour card.

Tournament director Clair Peterson said the John Deere would like to have Spieth back to defend, although "we can think of no better representative of our country" than Spieth in Rio.

"We have had the privilege of getting to know Jordan over the last four years, and next summer the rest of the world will have a chance to get to know him, too," said Peterson.

The Americans can have as many as four players at the Olympics, provided they are among the top 15 in the world ranking. Spieth is currently No 2.

It is possible two PGA Tour events during the Olympics will be without a defending champion. Bubba Watson, currently No 3, won the Travelers.

Golf executives told the International Olympic Committee they wouldn't hold big events - majors and World Golf Championships - during the Olympics, but it was always going to be busy, especially in a Ryder Cup year (Sept 29-Oct 1 in Minnesota).

The PGA Championship agreed to move up to July 28-31, just two weeks after the British Open. And the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone will be held two weeks after the US Open instead of its early August date preceding the PGA Championship.

Still unclear is how that will affect the European Tour, which has not released its schedule for next year.

The weeks between the US Open and British Open are during the heart of the continental schedule with strong events in Germany, France and Scotland.