Not very many bombers on the list of winners here (pre Bryson Bryson).
Nothing wrong with hitting tons of GIR and holing putts this week.
John Deere Classic
TPC Deere Run
Silvis, Illinois
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,268 |
| Par: | 71 (35-36) |
| Greens: | L93 Bentgrass; 5,500 square feet. |
| Stimpmeter: | 12 feet. |
| Rough: | Bluegrass and fescue at four inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards | 78/3; Water in play on three holes. |
| Architects: | DA Weibring (1999). |
| Purse: | $6.2 million and $1.116 million (winner); 500 FedExCup points. |
| Defending Champion (event): | 2019 Dylan Frittelli (-21). |
| Fact of the Week: | No event last year. |
| Fact of the Week II: | Paul Goydos opened with 59 here in 2010 and did not win the tournament. |
Notes:
- 156 players; Top 65 make the cut.
- Non-exempt player inside the top 5 will be the last man into the field at The Open Championship.
- TPC Deere Run has hosted since 2000.
2020-21 Winners
** – first time winner on TOUR
| Event | Winner |
| Safeway Open | Stewart Cink |
| 120th United States Open | Bryson DeChambeau |
| Corales Punta Cana Championship | Hudson Swafford |
| Sanderson Farms Championship | Sergio Garcia |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children | Martin Laird (playoff) |
| CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK | Jason Kokrak** |
| ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP | Patrick Cantlay |
| Bermuda Championship | Brian Gay |
| Vivint Houston Open | Carlos Oritz** |
| 84th Masters Tournament | Dustin Johnson |
| The RSM Classic | Robert Streb |
| Mayakoba Golf Classic | Viktor Hovland** |
| Sentry TOC | Harris English |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Kevin Na |
| The American Express | Si Woo Kim |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Patrick Reed |
| Waste Management Phoenix Open | Brooks Koepka |
| AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Daniel Berger |
| The Genesis Invitational | Max Homa |
| WGC – Championship at The Concession | Collin Morikawa |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Bryson DeChambeau (2) |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Justin Thomas |
| The Honda Classic | Matt Jones |
| WGC- Match Play | Billy Horschel |
| Corales Puntacana | Joel Dahmen** |
| Valero Texas Open | Jordan Spieth |
| 85th Masters Tournament | Hideki Matsuyama |
| RBC Heritage | Stewart Cink (2) |
| Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Cameron Smith/Marc Leishman |
| Valspar Championship | Sam Burns** |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Rory McIlroy |
| AT&T Byron Nelson | KH Lee** |
| 103rd PGA Championship | Phil Mickelson |
| Charles Schwab Challenge | Jason Kokrak (2) |
| Memorial Tournament | Patrick Cantlay (2) |
| Palmetto Championship (Congaree) | Garrick Higgo** |
| 121st US Open | Jon Rahm |
| Travelers Championship | Harris English (2) |
| Rocket Mortgage Championship | Cam Davis** |
Check out HORSES FOR COURSES for more details on those who play well here.
Event Winners:
| Year | Player | Notes |
| 2019 | Dylan Frittelli, -21 | Closed 65-64 bogey free to win for the first time on TOUR. |
| 2018 | Michael Kim, -27 | Set the tournament scoring record and margin of victory; first TOUR win. |
| 2017 | Bryson DeChambeau, -18 | Made up a four shot deficit in the final round to win for the first time on TOUR. |
| 2016 | Ryan Moore, -22 | Only squared two bogeys and won by two. |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth, -20 | Won for the second time and second time in a playoff. |
| 2014 | Brian Harman, -22 | Defeated Zach Johnson for his first TOUR victory. |
| 2013 | Jordan Spieth, -19 | Defeated Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a playoff for his first TOUR victory. |
| 2012 | Zach Johnson, -20 | Playoff winner over Troy Matteson. |
Facts and Figures:
| Tournament Record: | 257 (-27); Michael Kim, 2018. |
| Course Record: | 59; Paul Goydos, Round 1, 2010. |
| Recent Defending Champion(s): | Steve Stricker, 2009, 2010 and 2011. |
| Multiple Winners (event) | Stricker. |
| Oldest Winner: | Kenny Perry, 48. |
| Youngest Winner: | Jordan Spieth, 19. |
| First Time TOUR: | See chart above for recent examples. 10 of the last 20. |
| Odd Fact: | Stricker is the last player on TOUR to win an event three consecutive years. |
Quick Thoughts on TPC Deere Run
If you’re not in the fairway, you’re not making birdie as the rough is lush and four inches. The fairways are generous so there’s a bit of penalty for missing.
Greens are superb. Putts will drop. Hit green, make putt, circle birdie.
Par-3 holes need to be handled this week.
Par-5 holes are three of the easiest four on the card.
Rounds in the 60s need only apply.
Rounds of 60 probably won’t be out of the question but there hasn’t been anything lower than 61 recently.
Be patient, probably never out of it this week unless you post a round of 71 or worse.
Let’s recap last week first:
Last Week – Rocket Mortgage Championship
Quickie this week as I’m on vacation:
Use them where you like:
Hideki Matsuyama – WD, COVID-19, yikes.
Maverick McNealy – T21 as his steady play continues.
Sepp Straka – MC. Damp fart.
Cam Davis – HOLY SHIT FOLKS WE GOTTA LONG SHOT WINNER.
Beau Hossler – Backed up his season best at Travelers with T25.
Mark Hubbard – MC as his streak of 4 straight ended
Brian Stuard – MC as the home game didn’t develop.
Cameron Champ – Went with course form to knock him out of a funk, nope, MC.
Hank Lebioda – T4 had two putts to post 18-under and join the 3-man playoff but couldn’t get either one near the hole. Brutal 3 putt par on 17 and left the one on 18 short.
JJ Spaun – T32, like McNealy, had a round in the 70s, can’t do that here.
This Week – John Deere Classic
Daniel Berger (+1100): Class of the field and half of his eight rounds are 67 or better. I’d expect a top 10 but I’m not chasing.
Brian Harman (+1400): The value is out the window this week so you’re going to pay for top 10 or top 20. Harman’s playing well enough to write those checks.
Sungjae Im (+2000): We joke that it’s Zach Johnson’s major this week, well since Im is NOT going to The Open Championship, it might be his as well. The South Korean Olympic golfers are OUT OUT OUT next week so focus will be at the task at hand. Win ticket please plus top 10 and top 20.
Russell Henley (+2000): Last time he arrived on 4 straight MC before opening with 64 and closing with 10 birdies for 61. This time he’s playing decently (T19, T13) upon arrival.
Kevin Streelman (+2500): Just write the top 20 ticket and see you Sunday at the window.
Alex Noren (+2800): Heated up this time last year in the Midwest. Hasn’t won on TOUR either…but is 38. So close. Top 20.
Cam Davis (+3000): Had him in here last week for you! Back to back after his first TOUR win? If he putts like he did in the playoff last week, he’ll have no chance. If he hits every fairway and green, he just might. I’ll sit back and enjoy the ride.
Longer Shots
Zach Johnson/Steve Stricker: I mean, you gotta throw a nibble on each, right? You know, just in case…
Doc Redman: Fits the USGA angle, first time winner and 20-something.
Patton Kizzire: Closed with 64 last week.
Hank Lebioda: Not leaving him after T4, T5 the last two weeks.
Keith Mitchell: Made 24 birds on debut here for T7 in his only appearance.
Beau Hossler: Again, riding the wave.
Maverick McNealy: At least a top 20.
Funny Money
Adam Schenk
Andres Romero
Sam Ryder
Patrick Rodgers
Roger Sloan
Andrew Landry
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out through Twitter or email me mikeglasscott@gmail.com.
