Illinois is expected to have a busy era of PGA Tour commitments: Open Championship, Olympics, playoffs and Presidents Cup, all of which are coming soon.
The 53rd edition of the John Deere Classic is just around the corner, and with just five weeks to go until the FedExCup Playoffs, there’s not much time left to rack up valuable matters and secure a playoff spot. In Illinois, a busy era of vital commitments is expected for the PGA Tour: Open Championship, Olympics, playoffs and Presidents Cup, all of which are coming soon.
The TPC Deere Run is a par 71 course created in 1998. There’s an old-world vibe to the course, which has hosted the American Tour since 2010, with plenty of birdie opportunities but also risk/reward scenarios.
Last year, with a Sunday ending in 62 shots, Sepp Straka triumphed, being the Austrian who with this functionality definitively presented his candidacy and then was well called, and wonderful protagonist, to the Ryder Cup in Rome.
But he is not the only European who shines: Ludvig Aberg makes his debut for the fourth time as a professional and completes the joint fourth position. But if the Austrian protects the name again (and if he does, he will be the first to do so since Steve Stricker), the Swede already has his head on the Old Continent ahead of the Scottish Open and the fourth and final primary of the season.
Jordan Spieth returns to the John Deere Classic for the first time since 2015. The American has won twice at the TPC Deere Run, the first in 2013 (in the first history of the circuit) and the second, only nine. years ago in his last appearance.
In the returning tournament, Jason Day will also complete his sixth week in Illinois, which in the last five editions has never missed the cut but has played this time since the very old 2011. Always keeping an eye on Michael Thorbjornsen, the newcomer to the World Cup. golfer who is working his way to professionalism after dominating the PGA TOUR school rankings.
In a season that has already seen an amateur win, and a 10-high last week through an amateur, there are surprises on the agenda.