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John Deere Classic opens July 2, $8.8M purse.

7/2/2026

Summary

John Deere Classic Starts

The 2026 John Deere Classic starts Thursday, July 2, at TPC Deere Run in Illinois with an $8,800,000 purse.
Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup lead the moneyline at +1400 (Bet MGM) and +1325/+1400 (DraftKings).
The field lacks top-10 players but includes past winners Brian Campbell, Jordan Spieth and J.T. Poston.
Experts say TPC Deere Run yields many birdies and list long-shot picks Michael Thorbjornsen (+3300), Davis Thompson (+5100) and Brian Campbell (+21,000).

Summary

McClure Predicts

SportsLine's model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, simulated the John Deere Classic 10,000 times and forecast 17 majors, including the 2026 Masters.
It predicts Ben Griffin (+1500) will finish outside top 5, advising bettors to fade him.
Pierceson Coody (+3500) could contend after a T2 at the Farmers Insurance Open and five sub-70 rounds at TPC Deere Run, with the model flagging a 40-1 longshot as a high-payoff pick.

Summary

Spieth Seeks Title

Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy skip the John Deere Classic to focus on the Open Championship.
Jordan Spieth, a two-time champion, seeks to end a four-year title drought at the John Deere Classic.
The 144-player field features veterans Rickie Fowler and 2025 winner Brian Campbell with newcomers Luke Clanton and Jackson Koivun.
TPC Deere Run’s 7,300-yard short-par-4 layout, 90-degree heat and $8.8 million purse create wedge chances and affect FedExCup movement.

History

Historical Context

The John Deere Classic began as the Quad Cities Open in 1971, became an official PGA Tour event in 1972, and moved to TPC Deere Run in 2000 when Michael Clark II won the inaugural $2.6 million purse. By 2026 the field of 144 players competes for an $8.8 million purse, reflecting its rise as a key FedExCup and Open-qualifying stop.

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John Deere Classic Starts

The 2026 John Deere Classic starts Thursday, July 2, at TPC Deere Run in Illinois with an $8,800,000 purse.
Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup lead the moneyline at +1400 (Bet MGM) and +1325/+1400 (DraftKings).
The field lacks top-10 players but includes past winners Brian Campbell, Jordan Spieth and J.T. Poston.
Experts say TPC Deere Run yields many birdies and list long-shot picks Michael Thorbjornsen (+3300), Davis Thompson (+5100) and Brian Campbell (+21,000).

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