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Tournament Preview: The John Deere Classic

Published

12 years ago

July 12, 2012

The John Deere Classic, or shall we call it…The Steve Stricker Classic?

Just five times in history a golfer has won the same tournament four consecutive years in a row – and Steve Stricker is going for the 4-peat this week. Believe it or not, Tiger Woods achieved the accomplishment twice in his illustrious golf career after four in a row at Bay Hill in 2000-03, and the four wins at the Buick Invitational from 2005-08.

Stricker’s dominance at TPC Deere Run since 2009 included three eagles and a whopping 76 birdies. He knows the course very well and proved it in 2010 when he shot 26-under 258 to claim the current tournament record.

TPC Deere Run is a par 71 track and has hosted this event since 2000. All 12 champions have scored 16-under 268 or more. With more then 70 percent in greens in regulation, this course will show some great low scores this week. The weather is expected to cooperate throughout the week as the drought in the Midwest continues. Sunshine and high temperatures right around 90 degrees will serve as the norm. Winds are forecast to be light.

Zach Johnson will be looking to get back on track since his win at the Crowne Plaza in May. Johnson has been slipping in confidence and not keeping up with his first half surge. We still like Ryan Palmer as we feel he’s due for a win with 4 top 10s in his last 6 starts. Keep an eye out for hot players like Ken Duke and Carl Pettersson. Don’t forget Jonathan Byrd who was impressively T2 in birdies at the Greenbrier. Deere Run is certainly a birdie friendly track.