John Deere Classic

🌟 Greetings, and a warm welcome to another edition of GolfStats Insider! A special shoutout to our newest members - your support is greatly appreciated as we bring you weekly analysis, historical information, and all-around unique perspectives in the golf world. While our free newsletter keeps you in the loop, our premium edition takes your insights to the next level, complementing our comprehensive GolfStats website subscription. Dive deeper into the game you love - consider upgrading today! 🏌️‍♂️📈

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, we would really appreciate you subscribing by clicking the button below.

This week, the Tour is in Silvis, Illinois, for the John Deere Classic. For the first time since the Mexico Open in April, most top players are taking the week off to prepare for the British Open and the FedExCup playoffs. Only seven top-50 ranked players are participating, but the John Deere Classic remains a highlight for the Davenport-Moline communities. Fans passionately support the event, which is sponsored with great enthusiasm, creating a positive atmosphere. Predicting a winner is difficult; past champions include marquee names like Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau, but surprise victors like Sepp Straka can also emerge. Potential contenders include Aaron Rai, Lucas Glover, Denny McCarthy, and Eric Cole, especially as TPC Deere Run favors short hitters and poor putters.

Last Week in Detroit

Cam Davis won the Rocket Mortgage Classic, benefiting from Akshay Bhatia’s three-putt on the final green. This victory marked Davis’s second career PGA Tour win, both at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, a rare feat achieved by only a few since 1970. The challenge now is for Davis to win a different PGA Tour event, having played in 147 events with 19 top tens but no other wins.

Players to Watch

• Akshay Bhatia: Despite inconsistency, Bhatia is expected to win again soon. He has shown promise with recent high finishes but needs more consistent performances.

• Cam Davis: Not playing the John Deere this week, Davis will be a player to watch at the Scottish Open and British Open, well-suited for windy conditions.

• Min Woo Lee and Aaron Rai: Both showed strong performances recently. Lee won the Australian PGA and will be a contender at the Scottish Open. Rai, climbing the rankings, could do well at the John Deere and beyond.

• Davis Thompson: His steady climb in performance, with recent high finishes, makes him a strong contender this week at the John Deere.

• Eric Cole: Despite a challenging year, Cole’s recent performances suggest he could perform well at TPC Deere Run, which suits his game.

• Luke Clanton and Neal Shipley: Clanton may have peaked, but Shipley, with a strong debut in Detroit, could secure a top-ten finish this week.

Concerns

• Will Zalatoris: Struggling with injuries, Zalatoris’s future is uncertain after withdrawing from the Rocket Mortgage due to hip discomfort.

• Jordan Spieth: With inconsistent performance this year, Spieth’s participation in the John Deere is surprising. However, his past successes here and positive memories might boost his play this week.

History of the John Deere Classic

Established in 1971, the John Deere Classic began as the Quad City Open in Davenport, Iowa. It moved to the Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Iowa, in 1974 and then to TPC Deere Run in Silvis in 2000. The event gained attention in 2005 when Michelle Wie nearly made the cut. Since 2004, it has been scheduled a week before the British Open, except in 2016, making it challenging to attract a strong field. However, since 2022, it has been moved to two weeks before the British Open, slightly improving the field competitiveness.

TPC Deere Run

Located in Silvis, Illinois, TPC Deere Run is a par 71, 7,289-yard course with a rating of 75.6 and a slope rating of 145. The course, part of the TPC network, is known for its natural beauty, rolling hills, and wooded ravines. Designed by D.A. Weibring, it retains much of its natural landscape, providing a challenging yet picturesque setting. The course features 76 strategically placed bunkers and numerous blind shots and chipping areas, requiring precision more than power.

The John Deere Classic is an event where emerging talents can shine, and seasoned players can find success on a course that rewards precision. With the top players preparing for major upcoming tournaments, this week offers a unique opportunity for others to make their mark.

Key Stats for Success at TPC Deere Run

TPC Deere Run is unique in that it favors short hitters, as long hitters must throttle back due to limited fairway length. The course, known for its firm fairways and accessible par 5s, has seen short hitters like Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker, and Sepp Straka thrive. Key stats to focus on:

1. Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee (SGOTT): Short hitters have an advantage here. For instance, Sepp Straka, last year's winner, ranked 7th in SGOTT by gaining 0.821 strokes.

- 2022: J.T. Poston ranked 15th in SGOTT, gaining 0.690 strokes.

- 2021: Lucas Glover ranked 30th in SGOTT, gaining 0.317 strokes.

2. Strokes Gained Putting (SGP): Many winners at TPC Deere Run are typically poor putters who perform well here.

- 2023: Sepp Straka ranked 4th in SGP, gaining 1.693 strokes.

- 2022: J.T. Poston ranked 31st in SGP, gaining 0.564 strokes.

- 2021: Lucas Glover ranked 19th in SGP, gaining 0.750 strokes.

3. Strokes Gained Total (SGT): This combines all strokes gained categories. Top performers excel across all areas.

- 2023: Sepp Straka ranked 1st in SGT, gaining 3.542 strokes.

- 2022: J.T. Poston ranked 1st in SGT, gaining 3.917 strokes.

- 2021: Lucas Glover ranked 1st in SGT, gaining 3.303 strokes.

4. Birdie Average: Making birdies is crucial. Last year, Sepp Straka led the field with 26 birdies.

- 2022: J.T. Poston made 22 birdies, ranking T-5th.

- 2021: Lucas Glover made 24 birdies, leading the field.

TPC Deere Run is a course that rewards precision over power. Key stats such as SGOTT, SGP, and SGT highlight the importance of accuracy and putting. Birdie-making ability is essential due to the course's relatively easy scoring conditions. The field's scoring average at TPC Deere Run is consistently low, emphasizing the need for players to capitalize on birdie opportunities.