The July golfing calendar will be all about the Open Championship for many of the game’s leading lights, but the first PGA Tour gathering of the month is likely to see a low-scoring get-together at the John Deere Classic.
Sepp Straka is back to defend his title after closing with a 62 at the Illinois venue 12 months ago and will be highly fancied, while two-time champion Jordan Spieth, who has also had his hands on the Claret Jug, will be looking for a strong prep run before the trip to Royal Troon.
Sharp putters usually come out on top at TPC Deere Run and there are plenty who will see the absence of the big names as a great opportunity to get a victory on the board.
- DENNY McCARTHY TO WIN EACH-WAY
- SUNGJAE IM TO WIN EACH-WAY
- DAVIS THOMPSON TO WIN EACH-WAY
Solid Putting Can Help McCarthy’s Chances
Denny McCarthy is still looking for his first success on the PGA Tour, but he has performed well enough lately to suggest the wait may be over soon and he should be confident at a venue where he has finished sixth the last two years.
McCarthy is ranked second in strokes gained: putting this year and that is just the sort of handy skill that can launch him towards success this week.
Finding fairways and putting well have been key in the past and that should suit McCarthy, who finished second at the Texas Open and was also sixth at the Wells Fargo Championship in May.
A week’s break should have done him good and a 32nd spot at the US Open was encouraging, so all the signs appear to be there for him to make a bold bid.
DENNY McCARTHY TO WIN EACH-WAY
Im Arrives In Great Form
Sungjae Im has been playing strongly enough over the last few months to suggest he can take a prize at this level.
He missed the cut at both the US PGA and the US Open, but his most recent performances at regular PGA Tour level have been 12-4-9-8-3 and he also captured the Woori Financial Group Championship in his native South Korea during that time.
His Stateside exploits have come in stronger competitions than this one and he should muster a better effort than he did the last time he visited, when he was 41st in 2021.
SUNGJAE IM TO WIN EACH-WAY
BET ON THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC
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Thompson’s Time To Come Soon
Davis Thompson came close to winning his first PGA Tour title last week when he was tied for second behind Cameron Davis at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and that performance came after a top-10 finish at the US Open.
Thompson was second at the American Express last year and also at the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic in May, so the 25-year-old is plainly knocking on the door and should make a big improvement on the 31st he posted on his debut last year.
DAVIS THOMPSON TO WIN EACH-WAY
