2014 PGA - John Deere Classic
Where: TPC Deere Run, Illinois, USA
When: First tee off - Thursday, July 10th at 9:00pm AEST
There is only one week until the Open Championship and this week the PGA Tour heads to TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic. It is traditionally one of the easiest tournaments of the year - in fact the winning score has been 16 under or better since 1991.
156 golfers will start including 80 tour winners, although only three of the top 10 FedEx Cup players will be making an appearance this year. The winner of the John Deere will secure a start in the Open Championship next week at Royal Liverpool.
Young sensation Jordan Spieth was last year’s eventual winner and he did it with style and flare. Spieth holed a greenside bunker shot that hit the flagstick and dropped in. That shot only got him into a three way playoff and the 19 year old was clutch enough to win his first PGA Tour event.
Spieth is back again this year to defend his title and it’s no surprise that both him and three time tournament champ Steve Stricker will start hot favourites. We are going to stay away from Speith, but like the look of Stricker and a couple of others.
Steve Sticker:
I would usually stay away from any short-priced golfer to win a tournament outright but Stricker at this course and his winning form here is undeniable. He won here three straight years 2009, 2010 and 2011 and was close again last year. He consistency shoots around 20 under for 4 rounds here. I cannot ignore these numbers.
Odds: $14.5 at Betfair
$13 at Sportingbet
$12 at Ladbrokes
Chris Kirk:
Had three very good rounds here last year of 66, 66 and 67. He only faulted on the last day. Think he can go the distance this year and is at healthy odds.
Odds: $36 at Betfair
$31 at Sportingbet
$29 at Ladbrokes
Camillo Villegas:
Opened up last year with a 64 at the John Deere and then lost the plot a little bit. If Camillo wins again on tour I believe it will be at one of these easier tournaments like the John Deere. Value pick.
Odds: $110 at Betfair
$81 at Sportingbet
$101 at Ladbrokes