Blog#256 John Deere Classic

Blog#256 John Deere Classic

TPC Deere Run Par 72

Purse $8.4M+400K 5%

July 3-6, 2025

HISTORY

Since this tournament is 2 weeks before The OPEN most of the top players are not here. Same as last week someone will probably come out of nowhere, Potgieter was 110/1. So rather than go with straight odds, I am going with a few who have been very good lately. Jordan Spieth won twice 2013 (his 1st win) & 2015, Bryson DeChambeau in 2017, and in 1982 Payne Stewart got his 1st PGA win.

MY FAVORITES

1 Michael Thorbjornsen 30/1 Finished 4th last week and will be hungry for a win.

2 Chris Kirk 35/1 Lost last week after 2nd playoff hole same as above.

3 SJ Im 30/1 He was picked to win last year, faded in last 2RDs finished 12th.

4 Jason Day 20/1 He was my favorite last year, 89th after RD1, finished 23rd, but he has been playing well lately, the most experienced in the field and he needs a win.

5 Jake Knapp 35/1 Started at 130 after RD1 last week finished 4th.

If he gets off to a good start and another 61 like last week, he should win.

MY LONG SHOTS

1 Ben Griffin 14/1 He is the overall favorite and last 5 starts #13, 14, 10, 2, &1.

2 Cameron Champ 75/1 Played well at Canadian Open, 9th and Rocket 19th.

3 Jackson Suber 100/1 Made a run on back 9 last week, came up 2 stroke short.

4 Harry Higgs 250/1 Low RD 65 in last weeks final RD, guys like him fun to watch.

5 Nick Dunalp 1,000/1 Highest odds with 20 others. I featured he and James Piot last week and will continue examining effects of LIV on young players.

COMMENTARY

As like last week, not a strong field but with some of the lesser known young golfers the tournament was exciting, just little short of star power. Also this week will be a qualifying RD for final spots for THE OPEN. In my opinion THE OPEN should be the end of the PGA season which started on Jan 3, 2025, thats 9 months. However we have 3 tournaments generating a ton of $ and Ryder Cup. While the Tour Championship keep an interest in professional golf, some are in direct computation with the NFL and we know who wins that TV rating battle. The new PGA commissioner is Brian Rolapp who currently is the NFL’s Chief Media and Business Officer.

I think his main focus will be:

1- Maintain the PGA’s current increased TV ratings. The Travelers played was up 35%

and overall ratings are up 20% or more.

2- Find a solution to the LIV/PGA issue, most important how to get the top players in
LIV playing in PGA Tour events.

3- The PGA 2025 season runs from Jan 4 The Sentry to Nov 23 RSM Classic.

Golf is the only major sport without an official off season. Fall events from September to November rarely attract many of the top players. They do provide an opportunity for a few payers to keep or obtain their PGA Card, I feel there isa better way to utilize these months, perhaps partnering with DP on LIV for a few International events, while still keeping the 7 or 8 Fall events.