John Deere Classic Tips

Ben Griffin is a strong first-round top-5 pick, with six straight top-15s and a T5 at Deere Run last year. His top-10 SG: Putting and ability to go low (fifth in rounds in the 60s) ensure a hot start on this birdie-friendly course.

May look slightly left field, but Denny McCarthy has a very strong record at the John Deere Classic. In his last five starts, he has featured in the top 10 after round one on three occasions. Those rounds read 64 in 2023, 66 in 2022, and 66 in 2019. Worth a punt this weekend.

J T Poston might just be finding some better form at the right time as he's leading into this John Deere Classic, he's finished inside the top 50 in his last two tournaments. He's a player who usually goes on a bit of a good run once he's found some better form.

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Michael Thorbjornsen is a top-5 first-round contender, with a runner-up finish here last year and a T4 at the Rocket Classic. His strong SG: Off-the-Tee and birdie-making ability (top-10) align with Deere Run’s low-scoring opener. Recent form suggests a fast start.

Kirk is a proven fast starter and opened up with two sixty-fives last week in the Rocket, so he looks a good bet to start fast once more.

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Nico Echavarria is a longshot for a top-5 first-round finish, with a T6 at the Rocket Classic and top-5 SG: Putting on the PGA Tour. His ability to go low (T2 at Sony Open) suits Deere Run’s scorable layout, especially with a hot putter.

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Two top 10 finishes for Andrew Putnam in his last 2 events, he appears to have found some consistency again now. He wasn't too far away last time, has a chance after that and it's encouraging that Andrew does usually follow up 1 good performance with another.

Kevin is playing well and finished top ten last weekend in the Rocket. He has already shot two opening rounds of sixty-two this season, and on a course that suits, he could open up with a low round once more.

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Four sub-70 rounds last week culminated in a top 20 finish, and his second round 66 was flawless. So, hoping he carries that form on to this week.

If he brings his best form to this event, Sam Ryder has the ability to be doing something in this. He's not miles behind some of those who are much shorter odds but he looks better value at these odds. He has been starting well in his recent tournaments so I'm not ruling out that he does well in Round one.

Valimaki was second after the opening round here last year. He has had first-round scores over 70 in only two of his last twelve tournament starts.

Seamus Power's last two opening rounds at the John Deere Classic read 64 and 66, landing him in the top 10 after 18 holes on both occasions. Backing him to start well again this weekend.

Easy course at John Deere Classic gives players like Carson Young a chance for a high finish. Young was 5th in the 2024 tournament. He played a 63 round. That number puts him in the conversation for 1st round leader.

Garrick Higgo played well in defeat in the Rocket Classic this most recent event, missed the cut but he played well, looked good in the early stages of that event. This event is being played on a course that should suit his game so I'm not ruling out he does well, especially in the early stages.

Dylan Wu's best performance this year came at the Panama Championship, where he finished in 2nd place. His performance this season over the strokes gained approach suggests that he might be able to break his missed cut streak at this event.

Hit a bit of form last week when a top 25 finish was well deserved, mainly due to two cracking early rounds of 67 and 68. So if he can build on that here, it could be great value.

Started last week with a quality 67 but couldn't build on that. So, hoping the confidence is there and looking to build on that. At a value price, get a good early round in.

Missed the cut last week, but that was due to an awful 1st round. However, confidence could be high after a brilliant 67, which, although sadly not enough, can give a glimpse of what got him a 12th finish in Texas.

Brandt Snedeker's best performance this year was at the Memorial, where he finished in 7th place. His improved approach play since his last three missed cuts at this event could ensure he places here.