Blog# 155 John Deere Classic 

Blog# 155 John Deere Classic 

TPC Deere Run Par 71

Purse $8M+ $600K 7% 

July 4-7 2024 

HISTORY 

This tournament is played 1 week before the Scottish Open and 2 weeks before THE OPEN.  Most of the top players are in the UK preparing for The Open by playing in the Scottish Open to familiarize themselves with Link courses.  Only a few of the top players are in the John Deere.  However there are good reasons to watch.  Several young players and veterans are looking for a win to maintain their tour card and advance in the FedX standings.  The tournament attracts about 10,000 per day and has a strong history.  Jordan Spieth won his first tournament in 2013 as did Payne Stewart in 1982.

My Prediction

This tournament is hard to pick a winner.  Very weak field with the only 2 big names 

Jordan Spieth and Jason Day and one of these 2 should win.  However both of their games have been inconsistent so there is no way of knowing if they can put 4 RDs together.  There 

are a lot of sleepers who could win.  These are a few; Nick Dunlap 40/1, Lucas Glover 55/1, 

Eric Cole 55/`1, Jake Knapp 80/1, Joel Dahmen 80/1, Michal Kim 90/1, Carson Young 150/1.

FAVORITES Patrick Cantlay had been favored but unexpectedly withdrew.

1 SJ Im 14/1 I can’t see him winning.  He has played well but can’t close.

2 Sepp Srtaka 16/1 Won last year I don’t think he can repeat.

3 Jordan Spieth 18/1 If he stays away from bogies he will win but I don’t think he can.

4 Aaron Rai 22/1 Came a bogie on 18 from a playoff last week, he may be the best bet.

5 Maverick McNealy 25/1 He has played well in spots but rarely in contention to win.

6 Denny McCarthy 22/1 If putting is on and he is decent off the tee and approach he could win.

7 J T Poston 25/1 He has not had a very good year but he won in 2022.  

8 Jason Day 28/1 When he is on, hard to beat, but has not been on much this year.

9 Keith Mitchell 30/1 Picked in top 10 last week and didn’t make the cut.

10 Davis Thompson 30/1 Made a good run last week and finished tied for 2nd.

COMMENTARY Akshay Bhatia

No doubt this guy let pressure get to him on 18 missing a 30’ putt for the win then a 2’ putt for a playoff.  Similar to the way Rory blew the US Open.  He also had no birdies on the back 9 all pars until #18s bogie.  It was only his 2nd bogie of the tournament and his only 3 putt.  In the press conference he admitted that nerves caused him to be too cautious in his putting.  He had putted very well on the first 3 rounds but admits not being aggressive on the final round.  

He is only 22 and has 2 PGA wins.  He has a pretty even personality and a lot of talent.  I think both he and Rory will have a good OPEN.  They may not win but I am seeing top 10.

There is no question in my mind that golf is mentally the most difficult sport.  It is an individual sport where the athlete is playing against himself and the golf course.  That is one reason why LIV is so unwatchable on TV.  The commentators and telecast pay too much attention to teams.  Except for Ryder and Presidents Cup golf is not a team sport.  These 2 events are more an execution than a professional tournament and once a year is enough.