The PGA Tour returns to Illinois for the John Deere Classic, a long-standing event on the schedule dating back to 1971 when it was known as the “Quad Cities” Open. Since 1999, John Deere has been the title sponsor, and TPC Deere Run has been the host venue. The tournament may not always have a star-studded field, but it continues to draw large crowds and has a history of exciting finishes.
The field for this year’s John Deere Classic is wide open with the Monday withdrawal of Patrick Cantlay. While Jordan Spieth is one of the biggest names in the field, questions linger about his recent form. Defending champion Sepp Straka and Sungjae Im, who has been performing well with four top-10 finishes in his past six starts, are among the contenders. With many top players resting before the Open Championship, there is an opportunity for lesser-known players to make their mark at Royal Troon.
Sungjae Im, priced at $10,300, is a player to watch as he has been playing consistently well with multiple top-10 finishes in recent tournaments. His improved iron play and success in easier scoring conditions make him a strong pick for the John Deere Classic. On the other hand, Jordan Spieth, priced at $10,500, has been struggling with consistency and may not be the same player who won the event in 2013.
In the $9,000 range, J.T. Poston, priced at $9,100, is worth considering due to his expertise on wedge-heavy courses. His past success at the John Deere Classic and strong putting and wedge play skills make him a contender. However, Jason Day, priced at $9,400, has been struggling with his tee-to-green play and may not be a wise choice for this tournament.
Moving on to the $8,000 range, Lucas Glover, priced at $8,700, stands out as a former champion at the John Deere Classic. With his elite wedge play and recent strong approach performances, he is expected to perform well at TPC Deere Run. On the other hand, Kevin Yu, priced at $8,800, may be a risky pick due to his inconsistent putting performance.
In the $7,000 range, Nate Lashley, priced at $7,400, is a value pick based on his results on easier courses and strong approach and putting skills. However, Adam Schenk, priced at $7,700, has been struggling with recent form and may not be a reliable choice. Justin Lower, priced at $7,200, is a flier pick due to his putting prowess and ability to excel on courses with high greens in regulation.
Finally, in the $6,000 range, Kelly Kraft, priced at $6,600, is a value pick with strong approach and putting skills that make him competitive on similar setups. With a top-25 ranking in bentgrass putting and recent approach play, he is expected to surprise at the John Deere Classic.
Overall, the John Deere Classic presents an opportunity for both established players and rising stars to make their mark on the PGA Tour. With a wide-open field and the absence of some top players, this year’s tournament promises to be an exciting event with potential for unexpected outcomes.
