This week see’s the PGA tour swing into the Midwest for the John Deere Classic which is situated in the Quad cities region of West Illinois, about a two-hour drive from Chicago. For the last fifteen years they have played the John Deere classic at TPC Deere Run and this year is no different. TPC Deere Run is built on the site of a former Arabian horse farm and is ranked number No. 42 among the 100 greatest public golf courses in the United States. From the championship tees the course measures just over 7,200 yards and has a course record over 18 holes of 59 by Paul Goydos in 2010, eventual winner Steve Stricker shooting a 60 on that Sunday back in 2010 to win. With the John Deere classic comes low scoring, the pros pepper the flags from early Thursday morning and don’t stop until late Sunday afternoon. When Steve Stricker won back in 2010, his winning total was -26. One could be forgiven for calling this a birdie festival, but that makes for great viewing and will be a welcome change after the double bogey festival we had to endure at Chambers Bay three weeks ago. Let’s have a look at this week’s picks and who will give us great value.
I’m using odds from BetOnline.ag. Check out our full BetOnline review here.
Jordan Speith (+300 @ Betonline.ag)
Past champion, Speith will be looking to win again.
Jordan Speith, you just can’t look past the Masters and US Open champion this week at the JD classic. He won it back in 2013 and will be in contention again I’m sure. He’s back from a week in the Bahamas and your can bet he’s refreshed. He didn’t show any sign of a hangover after he won the Masters so I think he will be focused on getting the job done in the Midwest, it’s becoming very evident this major champion has got a massive appetite for success. Anyone who can finish -5 at Chambers Bay is going to be salivating at the thought of playing at TPC Deere Run. He’s well suited to this course as his tee to green game is one of the best on tour, his biggest strength is his putter, theses greens are pure and not very deceiving. Expect Jordan to roll them in with aplomb.
Zach Johnson (+900 @ BetOnline.ag)
Johnson will have his sights set on another victory.
Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters Champion has finished third or better at the John Deere Classic in five of his last six starts and won in 2012. In short the man is prolific around TPC Deere Run. His game is well suited to this track as it isn’t the longest course and favors accuracy over distance, blessed with one of the best short games from 120 meters out and very receptive greens awaiting his ball, you can be assured Zach Johnson will be in the hunt come Sunday, Johnson is also a very decent putter so when he gives himself a chance you can be sure most of the time he will drain the putt.
Steve Stricker (+2800 @ BetOnline.ag)
Steve Stricker, Steve has won the event 3 times before and has finished in the top 12 in the last 6 years. He’s not the longest off the tee but he doesn’t have to be at TPC Deere Run. He keeps it in play and can sink anything from 12 feet in his sleep. He truly is one of the best putters of his generation. Even Tiger Woods asked him for putting lessons a few years back, maybe a bad example nowadays. Having won the event 3 times previously it’s crystal clear he knows his way around this layout and more importantly knows how to win there. He’s normally there or thereabouts come the end on Sunday. With a seriously toned down schedule these days you can be sure he wants to make it count when he does come out to play, expect a motivated Steve Stricker to be in contention.
Jordan Spieth • Steve Stricker • Zach Johnson