John Deere Classic: Expert Picks

Tournament Information:

John Deere Classic
Date: July 8^th -11^th
Course: TPC Deere Run
Purse: $6.2 MM ($1.1 MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Dylan Frittelli (-21)

Course

TPC Deere Run. Designed in 2000 by D.A. Weibring, this 7,250 yard par 71 course running along the Rock River is a precursor to the British Open. It has a rating of 75.8 and a slope rating of 144, putting it above average in terms of difficulty for a PGA course. It has many elevation changes with scenic overviews of forestry all over. The roughs are damaging and difficult to get out of and accuracy is an important characteristic to have.

Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Zach Johnson (second selection this year) – Zach had a solid stretch at TPC Deere Run with two top 20 finishes here in 2017 and 2018, and then a 37^th place finish in 2019. His accurate iron play is an asset on this course.

Vaughn Taylor (first selection this year) — Vaughn has finished in the top 35 each of the last three years at the John Deere Classic. Vaughn has struggled a bit as of late, but he’s a great putter and very strong around the greens with his irons.

Lucas Glover (second selection this year) — While Lucas did not participate here in 2018, he was top 25 in 2017 and 2019, finishing 10^th here just two years ago. Lucas is 44^th in strokes gained off the tee thanks to solid accuracy. He has three top 20 finishes in his last ten tournaments.

Sam Ryder (first selection this year) – Sam finished 2^nd here in 2018 and followed it up with a strong 18^th place finish in 2019. Sam has some holes in his game but he excels at greens in regulation.

My Bench 2

Harold Varner III (second selection this year) — Harold finished 6^th here in 2018 and while 53^rd place in 2019 wasn’t ideal, he has promising enough iron play to excel. Harold has a solid game through—he’s top 60 in strokes gained off the tee, approaching the green, around the green and tee to green.

Nick Watney (first selection this year) — Sometimes it takes time to learn a course, and that is the case with Watney. He finished 118^th here in 2017, 60^th in 2018, and 6^th in 2019. This one is a bit of a long shot—Nick has missed the cut in all but two tournaments this year.

Fun Fact: Paul Goydos shot a 59 here (course record) at the 2010 John Deere Classic.

2020-2021 Stats

(1^st percent would be the top golfer picked every week)

Starting 4: average finish 40^th (30^th percent)
Bench 2: average finish 50^th (38^th percent)