The John Deere Classic arrives with fireworks, birdies and a loaded field as Ben Griffin, Tom Kim and J.T. Poston headline the TPC Deere Run chase this weekend.
The John Deere Classic is about to bring a different kind of Fourth of July fireworks to TPC Deere Run.
While America celebrates its 250th birthday, the PGA TOUR’s annual Quad Cities birdie-fest is lining up as a full-blown scoring sprint, with Ben Griffin, Tom Kim, J.T. Poston and a hungry group of contenders ready to attack one of the most gettable courses on the schedule.
This isn’t the week for timid golf. The 7,327-yard, par-71 layout has long rewarded players who stuff irons close, roll in putts and refuse to blink once the leaderboard turns into a race to 20-under or better.
Last year, the field scoring average landed at 69.436, which tells you exactly what kind of week this can become ... aggressive, chaotic and wildly entertaining.
Griffin earns the top spot in the John Deere Classic power rankings, and it’s easy to see why. He’s been one of the hotter players on TOUR, stacking two third-place finishes, two top 10s and two more top 20s over the last two months.
He missed the cut here last year after arriving with major momentum, but his T5 debut in 2024 proves TPC Deere Run fits his eye.
Tom Kim is right behind him after a solo third at the U.S. Open, while Poston brings serious course credibility.
He won this event in 2022, recently won at Muirfield Village and also finished T4 at the U.S. Open. One ugly hole at Travelers shouldn’t scare anyone off.
Denny McCarthy is another name to circle. His John Deere record is ridiculous: T6, T6, T6 and T11 since 2022. Davis Thompson also returns to the site of his 2024 victory, carrying a 66.58 scoring average across 12 career rounds here.
The course does come with a new bite. The old “Hewitt Tree” on No. 4 is gone after decay forced its removal, but the hole didn’t get easier. Three fairway bunkers now guard the landing zone, and a new tee stretches the par 4 to 492 yards.
Anyone trying to fly the trouble could need a 340-yard carry without wind help.
Still, this tournament usually comes down to fearless shot-making. Keith Mitchell, Chris Gotterup, Pierceson Coody, Jackson Koivun, Emiliano Grillo and Keegan Bradley all have enough form or firepower to make noise.
The John Deere Classic might not wear red, white and blue, but this week, green and yellow could deliver the loudest show in golf.
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