John Deere Classic

Jul 07 , 2021

John Deere Classic

The PGA Tour rolls on to Illinois this week. The Scottish Open has stripped the field of many of the top ranked players as they prepare for next weeks Open Championship.

Date: 8 - 11 July, 2021

Course: TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois
Length: 6,637 meters
Par: 71

Key Stats

  • Birdie or Better
  • Strokes Gained: Putting
  • Putting Average
  • Greens In Regulation
  • Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Proximity 150-175 Yards
  • Par 4 400-450 Yards
  • Bogey Avoidance
  • Scrambling
  • Fort Worth Invitational Form
  • Valspar Championship Form
  • Bentgrass Greens
 

Course Winners

2019 - Dylan Frittelli
2018 - Michael Kim
2016 - Ryan Moore
2014 - Brian Harman
2012 - Zach Johnson
2011 - Steve Stricker
2010 - Steve Stricker

Winner Profile

TPC Deere Run is one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour. Form from the tee is fairly irrelevant but strong iron play and a hot putter are the keys to winning here. Americans have an outstanding record and triple figure winners have been rare.

Top Chances

Russell Henley: Clear standout. Led into Sunday at the US Open recently so class is obviously not an issue. Ranks 4th on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach, 18th in GIR and 22nd in Proximity: 150-175 Yards so his iron game is clearly on point. Also ranks 6th in Bogey Avoidance, 14th in Par 4 Efficiency: 400-450 Yards and 18th in Scrambling. Finished 2nd in his debut run here last season.

Mid-Tier Chances

Doug Ghim: Ranks 10th in Scrambling, 12th in GIR, 19th in Bogey Avoidance and 21st in Strokes Gained: Approach. Posted a T-14 at the Charles Schwab this year. Has eight Top 40 finishes this year.

Patton Kizzire: Excellent putter who ranks 2nd in Putting Average and 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting. Also ranks 19th in Birdie or Better. Finished 3rd at the Charles Schwab this year. Has three Top 10s this year so can run with the big boys. Top 30 at each of his two runs.

Zach Johnson: Nobody loves Deere Run more than ZJ. The veteran is a winner of this tournament and over the last decade has six Top 5 finishes and a further two Top 20s. Ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Putting and 9th in Par 4 Efficiency: 400-450 Yards.
Hank Lebioda: Ranks 3rd in Scrambling, 4th in Bogey Avoidance and 24th in GIR. Finished 13th at the 2021 Valspar. Form is great with Top 5 at each of his last two tournaments.

Outside Chances

Matthew NeSmith: Quality iron player. Ranks 3rd in GIR, 10th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 22nd in Proximity from 150-175 Yards. Finished T-21 at the Valspar this season. Made 11 of 16 cuts so striking them well.

Vincent Whaley: Underrated youngster who has made 10 of 12 cuts. That includes a T-20 at the Charles Schwab Challenge this year. Ranks Top 25 in Par 4 Efficiency: 400-450 Yards. Ranks Top 35 in the field for both Birdie or Better and Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harry Higgs: Quality putter who ranks 11th on Tour in Putting Average. Also ranks 17th in Par 4 Efficiency: 400-450 Yards. Mixes form but did post a 4th in the PGA Championship this season so the upside is there.

Aaron Baddeley: Perhaps the best value bet in the entire tournament. Ranks Top 25 in Putting Average, Strokes Gained: Putting, Scrambling and Proximity from 150-175 Yards. Also ranks 22nd in the field over the last 50 rounds in Birdie or Better. Made four straight cuts so form decent enough.

PGA Tour