Cover Story

Photo by JR Howell

NEW TIME, SAME PLACE

JOHN DEERE CLASIC RETURNS TO TPC DEERE RUN - ONE WEEK EARLY

Barry Cronin Cronin Communications, Inc. 847-867-3032 (mobile) bcronin@cronincommunications.com

The John Deere Classic’s new date, June 29-July 3, is one week earlier than its customary date on the PGA Tour. Happily, this has resulted in more “name” players committing early to the event at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. And tournament officials indicated it’s likely more will commit as their personal playing schedules evolve.

In addition to defending champion Lucas Glover, several players already have included the $7.1 million John Deere Classic on their respective itineraries. Those include former major championship winners Jason Day, 2015 PGA Championship; JDC executive board member and 2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open winner, and Webb Simpson, 2012 U.S. Open champion.

“We are very excited to have Jason and Webb in the field along with Zach, who has been our most loyal supporter over the years,” said tournament executive director Clair Peterson. “By moving us up one week on the calendar, the PGA Tour has afforded us the opportunity to attract players who otherwise could not work us into their schedules. As always, players have until the Friday before the tournament to commit to play or change their plans.”

Since 2004, the John Deere Classic has been played the week before the British Open, with the exception of 2016 when it was rescheduled to August because of the Olympics. This year, it is being played two weeks before the British and two weeks after the U.S. Open. As a result, players who normally travel to the Open the week before the UK-based tournament are afforded the opportunity to play in the Quad Cities.

Three-peat winner and 2021 Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker, who won the 2009-11 JDCs, will be making his only PGA Tour appearance this year at Deere Run. Stricker has said he is playing because this will be Peterson’s last tournament, as the longtime tournament director has announced his retirement.

Some other top names who have committed include 2021 Ryder Cup hero Daniel Berger, recent Tour winners J.J. Spaun and Sepp Straka; Some other top names who have committed include 2021 Ryder Cup hero Daniel Berger,

recent Tour winners J.J. Spaun and Sepp Straka; veterans Charles Howell III, who finished 3rd as a rookie in his JDC tournament debut in 2000; Charley Hoffman, Brandt Snedeker and Olympic silver medalist Rory Sabbatini. Young up-and-comers include Cameron Champ, Beau Hossler, Denny McCarthy, Sahith Theegala and impressive rookie Davis Riley. Rory Sabbatini, the silver medalist at last year’s Olympic Games, also will be playing.

Illinois has several natives in the field, including Doug Ghim (Buffalo Grove), Nick Hardy (Northbrook), D.A. Points (Pekin) and Kevin Streelman (Wheaton). David Lipsky and Dylan Wu aren’t from Illinois but both played at Northwestern, as is Dylan’s brother Brandon Wu, who played at Stanford. Both Points and Hardy played for Illinois.

Past champions who have committed include Jonathan Byrd (2007), Dylan Frittelli (2019), Brian Harman (2014), Mark Hensby (2004), Zach Johnson (2012) Ryan Moore (2016), Sean O’Hair (2005) and John Senden (2006).

This year’s sponsor exemptions include accomplished young players Chris Gotterup, a fifth-year senior at Oklahoma who recently won this year’s Haskins Award given to the nation’s best college golfer; Patrick Flavin, an Illinois native from Highwood in suburban Chicago who, as of June 7, had Monday-qualified into an impressive four PGA Tour events this season; and recent Duke graduate Quinn Riley, who is ranked No. 1 on the Advocates Pro Golf Tour’s (APGA) Collegiate Ranking, which is designed to evaluate the top players positioned to qualify for the APGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.

The John Deere Classic has a strong record when it comes to its sponsor exemptions. Glover received a sponsor exemption in 2002 and won the 2009 U.S. Open; Day received his first PGA Tour sponsor exemption in 2006 at the John Deere at the age of 17; Simpson received an exemption in 2008; Johnson received exemptions in 2002-03; three-time major winner and two-time JDC champion Jordan Spieth was a 2012 exemption while two-time PGA Champion Justin Thomas got one in 2013. 2020 U.S. Open winner and 2017 JDC champion Bryson DeChambeau received an exemption in 2015.

Day specific Grounds tickets are $40 and parking is free. For information on a variety of ticket options visit johndeereclassic.com.

Photo by: JR Howell courtesy of the John Deere Classic