The PGA Tour season continues to churn along, and a strong field heads to TPC Deere Run for the 2026 John Deere Classic in Silvis, IL.
Players need to go low to win this week, and my early John Deere Classic predictions are headlined by established PGA Tour winner and betting favorite Ben Griffin.
⛳ John Deere Classic: Key takeaways
- Best early bet: Ben Griffin to win (+1400) – Pair the improved recent run from Griffin with his T5 here in 2024, and I’m expecting the three-time PGA Tour winner to add his fourth victory this week
- Best early value: Denny McCarthy to win (+5000) – A weekend surge led to a T14 finish at the Travelers, and McCarthy is on a T11-T7-T6-T6 run in this event
- Course: TPC Deere Run is a scorable 7,327-yard Par 71 layout designed by D.A. Weibring and Chris Gray that traditionally rewards precise wedge play and hot putters
- Weather: Early forecast calls for warm summer conditions coupled with soft, receptive turf to set the track up for another low-scoring tournament
- Expected cut: The standard 144-player field will be trimmed down to the Top 65 players and ties following Round 2
📊 John Deere Classic odds
The John Deere Classic runs at TPC Deere Run from Thursday, July 1, through Sunday, July 4.
| Golfer |  |
|---|---|
| Ben Griffin | +1400 |
| Chris Gotterup | +1400 |
| Jackson Koivun | +2000 |
| Keith Mitchell | +2200 |
| Keegan Bradley | +2500 |
| J.T. Poston | +2800 |
| Eric Cole | +3300 |
| Jordan Spieth | +3300 |
Odds from BetMGM, one of our best golf betting sites.
Check out the full John Deere Classic field.
Course breakdown: TPC Deere Run
Masterfully designed by D.A. Weibring and Chris Gray, TPC Deere Run is the Gold Standard of low-scoring properties on the PGA Tour. Playing as a 7,327-yard Par 71, this short track relies on elevation changes, rolling fairways, and thick hardwood trees to protect approach lines.
Because length off the tee isn’t a separator historically, the tournament often opens the door for multiple paths to winning and diverse skillsets. The primary defense here is the deep rough and strategic fairway bunkering. Still, hitting fairways leaves short irons and wedges into large, smooth bentgrass green complexes.
Simply put, pars won’t cut it this week, with the winning scores regularly eclipsing the 18-under mark. And, especially, players need to take advantage of the three Par 5s and three Par 4s that are under 400 yards.
- Short, undulating track minimizes a distance advantage
- Wedge and short iron approaches are at a premium
- Track features large and receptive bentgrass greens
- Circles on the card are a necessity
Players to watch
- Ben Griffin: Trading with the betting favorites, Griffin is heating back up after winning three times in 2025, and he also finished T5 here in 2024
- Jackson Koivun: Pair a T23 at the U.S. Open with Koivun’s T11 in this event last year, and the emerging star is definitely a player to have on your radar this week and throughout the rest of the 2026 season
Key stats & player profiles to target
- True strokes gained approach
- Birdie-or-better percentage
- Proximity distance from 75-150 yards
- Par-5 scoring
- Driving accuracy
Players to watch
- Denny McCarthy: Before finishing T11 here in 2025, McCarthy carded three consecutive Top 5s at TPC Deere Run, so his tee-to-green game and elite putting fit the demands of the track
- J.T. Poston: While the 2023 winner was derailed last week by a 12 in the final round, Poston preceded the Travelers with a win in the Memorial Tournament and a T4 at the U.S. Open
How to watch the John Deere Classic & tee times
How to watch:
- Thursday-Friday: 4-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
- Saturday: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Sunday: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
Tee times:
- Round 1 and 2 tee times coming soon
John Deere Classic betting FAQ
Who is the 2026 John Deere Classic favorite?
Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup are +1400 betting favorites at BetMGM.
When is the 2026 John Deere Classic?
The 2026 John Deere Classic will be played from Thursday, July 1, to Sunday, July 4.
Where will the 2026 John Deere Classic be played?
The 2026 John Deere Classic will be played at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
What are John Deere Classic FRL markets?
First Round Leader (FRL) markets center around which golfers will be in the lead following the first 18 holes of the tournament.
How do John Deere Classic matchup bets work?
When betting John Deere Classic matchups, you're selecting which golfer will score better between the two golfers listed in that specific market. There are 18-hole, single-round matchups, in addition to tournament-long, 72-hole matchups.
What is the John Deere Classic cut line?
The Top 65 golfers and ties after 36 holes will make the cut at the John Deere Classic.
Are John Deere Classic odds the same across all sportsbooks?
You'll see slight to significant variations in odds across sportsbooks for the John Deere Classic; it's always good practice to check multiple sports betting sites for the best odds.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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