2024 John Deere Classic Preview: Field, odds, picks and more

The 2024 John Deere Classic is set to return to TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, from July 11-14. This tournament, which has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1971, has become a beloved stop on the PGA Tour.

TPC Deere Run, a par-71 course measuring 7,289 yards, provides a picturesque yet challenging setting for the competition. The tournament boasts a substantial purse, with the winner set to take home a significant share of the $8 million prize money, making it an enticing event for many top players.

TPC Deere Run, designed by former PGA Tour player and 3-time John Deere Classic winner D.A. Weibring, is known for its strategic layout that utilizes the natural landscape of the Mid-Mississippi River Valley.

The course, which opened in 1998, features dramatic elevation changes and risk-reward scenarios that challenge even the most seasoned golfers. The John Deere Classic has been held at this course since 2000, consistently providing exciting finishes and memorable moments for players and fans alike.

2024 John Deere Classic: Weather and Course Condition

As the tournament approaches, the course conditions at TPC Deere Run are reported to be in excellent shape. The greens are expected to be fast and firm, while the fairways and rough have been meticulously maintained to ensure a fair but challenging test for the competitors.

Weather forecasts for the week of the John Deere Classic predict mild temperatures with a mix of sun and occasional cloud cover, providing ideal playing conditions. There is a slight chance of showers, which could soften the course and make it more receptive to aggressive play.

The Field

The field for the 2024 John Deere Classic is particularly strong, featuring a mix of past champions and rising stars. Notable players such as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, and Sungjae Im are expected to compete, adding significant excitement to the event.

Spieth, a two-time winner of the John Deere Classic, returns to TPC Deere Run for the first time since 2015. His first PGA Tour victory came at this very course in 2013, making his return highly anticipated.

Defending champion Sepp Straka is also in the field, aiming to become the first repeat winner since Steve Stricker’s remarkable three-peat from 2009 to 2011. Straka, who captured the 2023 title with a thrilling final-round 62, will face stiff competition as he seeks to defend his crown.

Other notable contenders at the John Deere Classic include Aaron Rai, Maverick McNealy, and Keith Mitchell, all of whom have shown strong form this season and are poised to make a run at the title.

In addition to seasoned veterans, the tournament will showcase emerging talents like Michael Thorbjornsen, who has been making waves since turning professional. Thorbjornsen, who finished T17 at last year’s John Deere Classic, is one of several young players to watch.

The mix of experienced champions and promising newcomers ensures that the 2024 John Deere Classic will be an event filled with compelling storylines and intense competition.

Expert and Sleeper Picks

Expert Picks:

Sepp Straka (18-1): Considering a defending champion might be a smart move this week. After Cam Davis clinched his second Rocket Mortgage Classic victory in four years while many top players were absent, dreaming of a similar outcome at the John Deere Classic isn’t far-fetched.

Sepp Straka, the 2023 John Deere Classic winner, has been in great form this season, with seven Top 20 finishes in his last 11 events. He currently ranks 17th in SG: Total.

Though his recent performances have been lukewarm, with a T-56 at the U.S. Open and a T-23 at the Travelers Championship, Straka has frequently been in contention over the past two months. In a wide-open field this weekend, backing the defending champion at 18-1 could be a wise bet, especially given his impressive form at TPC Deere Run, where he flirted with a 59 in his last appearance.

Aaron Rai (22-1): This season has been a breakout year for the 29-year-old Brit. Although a two-time winner on the European Tour, Rai is still seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour. His consistent play suggests that win is not far off. Rai has made the cut in 14 of his 18 events this season, with three Top 10 finishes, including two in his last six starts.

His success has been driven by exceptional ball striking, ranking sixth on Tour in ‘Strokes Gained: Approach The Green’ and eighth in ‘Total Strokes Gained’. While his putting has been a weakness, the wide fairways and large, receptive greens at TPC Deere Run should play to his strengths.

Rai is trending in the right direction, with three consecutive Top 20 finishes, including a T-19 at the U.S. Open and a near-victory at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, where he finished runner-up by one stroke. This could be the week Rai finally breaks through.

Sleeper Picks:

Seamus Powers (70-1): He boasts an excellent course history at this event, never missing a cut in five trips to TPC Deere Run. The Irishman has consistently hit the ball well here and has gained strokes with his putter in all five appearances.

Powers is not far removed from one of his best approach weeks of his career at Quail Hollow, where he was third in the field with his irons. In his last start at the Travelers Championship, he gained strokes in every category for just the second time this season, showcasing a complete game.

That performance is particularly impressive given the strong field, and it’s relevant because, like TPC Deere Run, TPC River Highlands is another short TPC course where proficiency with wedges and short irons is key. Power’s proven ability to excel in such conditions makes him an intriguing sleeper pick this week.

Chris Gotterup (110-1): Winning at TPC Deere Run requires making plenty of birdies, as twelve of the last fifteen winners have shot -20 or better for the tournament. One effective way to accumulate birdies here is by overpowering the course, and wide fairways can benefit long hitters.

This brings us to the young Chris Gotterup, a 24-year-old out of the University of Oklahoma who is already one of the longest drivers on Tour. Gotterup ranks sixth in average driving distance and 63rd in ‘Strokes Gained: Off the Tee’.

While he needs to refine his approach game, this track may not demand it as much, and he is also an above-average putter, ranking 74th in Strokes Gained: Putting. Gotterup already has a PGA Tour victory, winning the Myrtle Beach Classic by six strokes back in May.

He has made the cut in each of his last two starts and was in good form last week before a disappointing 77 on Sunday. Gotterup’s power and putting prowess make him a compelling long-shot bet.