Can Steve Stricker get his fourth career win at the John Deere Classic? He’s one of my fantasy golf picks; find the rest below. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
This week the PGA Tour heads to Illinois for this year’s version of the birdie-fest that is the John Deere Classic. TPC Deere Run is a shorter course that hugs the Rock River and perennially ranks among the leaders in birdies. There could even be a 59 out there this week if a player puts together the right round.
Jonas Blixt broke through last week by putting together four solid rounds at the Greenbrier Classic. In our FantasyCPR group it was Team Tiger who took the win thanks to solid weeks from Jimmy Walker and Bill Haas. Team Tiger matched exactly Above Par’s score from week 1, so the two are tied atop the segment standings in which we drop low-score. Foot-Wedge is our overall season leader with a cool 4K points with Eagle’s Nest and Above Par both within a great week of the lead.
I’m hoping for a great week at the John Deere with these picks:
A-List
July 1, 2012; Bethesda, MD, USA; Brendon de Jonge waves to the crowd after putting on the 18th green during the final round of the AT
Brendon de Jonge: De Jonge has had a quiet summer but had five top 15’s earlier this season. He’s also been in the top 20 in two of the last three Deeres and is coming off a top 20 last week at The Greenbrier.
Kyle Stanley: Stanley was runner up here two years ago and chased that with another top-20 last week. He’s a bit of a flier after struggling since the US Open, but the A-List is pretty thin and he does have three top tens all since Mid-April.
B-List
Steve Stricker: Stricker has won this event three times and is going to be on almost everyone’s roster this week. He’s an extremely easy choice, but a good one coming off a t8 at the US Open. He made the cut in all seven events he’s played and has racked up four top ten’s.
Keegan Bradley: Bradley hasn’t played here in the past but has nine top 25’s this year although just two have come in his last nine events. He finished t18 at the Travelers in his last appearance.
June 1, 2013; Dublin, OH, USA; Zach Johnson during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Johnson: Johnson is always a threat at the Deere and has been in the top three in three of the last four times he’s played here. He hasn’t had a great year on tour, but his past history makes him one to watch anyway.
Jimmy Walker: Walker continues to knock on the door of his first PGA Tour win but has yet to claim that elusive first title. He had six top-ten finishes last season and has three top five’s this year after his co-runner up finish last week.
C-List
Jordan Spieth: Spieth will need to convert his birdie putts unlike on Sunday of last week as he faded to a t23. The 19-year old still has three top-25’s in his last five tournaments and five top ten’s on tour this year. He has the game to win here if he can get his putter back in gear.
Jun 13, 2013; Ardmore, PA, USA; Russell Knox lines up his putt on the 4th green during the first round of the 113th U.S. Open golf tournament at Merion Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: JD Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Russel Knox: After finishing with four top 15’s in last year’s Fall Series, Knox is coming off a t13 in the Travelers after making the cut at the US Open. He played this event last year but missed the cut. He’s a flier pick this week, but the last few week’s have had some unpredictable names on the leaderboard, so I’m going to roll the dice and go with Knox this week.