John Deere Classic

John Deere Classic
Name	John Deere Classic
Location	Silvis, Illinois
Course	TPC Deere Run
Par	71
Yardage	7,268
Tour	PGA Tour
Format	Stroke play
Purse	$8,000,000 (2024)
Month played	July
Current champion	Davis Thompson

John Deere Classic. The John Deere Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held annually in the Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa. Since 2000, the event has been contested at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, typically in July as a key lead-in to The Open Championship. Known for its birdie-friendly conditions and charitable focus, the tournament has been a staple on the tour schedule since 1971, attracting both established stars and emerging talent.

History

The event originated in 1971 as the Quad Cities Open, founded by local businessman Donald R. "D.R." and the Quad Cities Golf Classic board. It was initially held at Crow Valley Country Club in Bettendorf, Iowa. The tournament struggled for a permanent title sponsor in its early years, with names including the Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open and the Hardee's Golf Classic. In 1998, John Deere, the Moline, Illinois-based agricultural equipment manufacturer, assumed title sponsorship, providing long-term stability. This partnership led to the event's move to the newly constructed TPC Deere Run in 2000, a course designed by D.A. Weibring in consultation with PGA Tour player Chris DiMarco.

Tournament highlights

The event is renowned for dramatic finishes and record-setting performances. In 2010, Steve Stricker secured his second of three consecutive victories with a final-round 60. The most famous moment occurred in 2013 when Jordan Spieth, at age 19, won in a playoff over Zach Johnson and David Hearn, becoming the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in 82 years. In 2015, Spieth won again before immediately flying to the United Kingdom to compete in The Open Championship at St Andrews. Other notable champions include Sam Snead, who won the 1971 edition at age 58, and D.A. Weibring, who won in 1991. The tournament often offers a sponsor's exemption to the NCAA Division I men's golf champion.

Course

Since 2000, the host venue has been TPC Deere Run, a par-71, 7,268-yard layout. The course, a D.A. Weibring design, is built on land formerly owned by the John Deere company and is characterized by rolling terrain, ravines, and the Rock River which comes into play on several holes. It is known for its soft conditions and low scoring, frequently ranking as one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour schedule. The signature 18th hole is a risk-reward par-4 that has decided many tournaments. The facility is owned by the PGA Tour and is part of the Tournament Players Club network.

Winners

The tournament has been won by many prominent golfers, including Hale Irwin (1973), David Frost (1992, 1993), Steve Stricker (2009, 2010, 2011), and Zach Johnson (2012). Jordan Spieth (2013, 2015) and Bryson DeChambeau (2017) earned their first PGA Tour victories here. Recent champions include J.T. Poston (2022), who led wire-to-wire, and Sepp Straka (2023). The 2024 edition was won by Davis Thompson, who captured his maiden PGA Tour title. Multiple winners include Stricker (3), D.A. Weibring (3), and David Frost (2).

Charity and economic impact

The John Deere Classic is a model for charitable fundraising on the PGA Tour. Operated by Birdies for Charity, the tournament has donated over $150 million to non-profit organizations since its inception, primarily benefiting children's health, education, and human services in the Quad Cities region. The event generates an estimated $55 million in annual economic impact for the local area, involving hundreds of volunteers from organizations like the United Way. The John Deere Foundation is a major philanthropic partner, and the tournament's success is a cornerstone of community engagement for John Deere.

Broadcasting

Television coverage of the tournament has been provided by CBS Sports and Golf Channel for many years, with the current rights held by CBS and ESPN+. The broadcast often highlights the tournament's charitable mission and its role in the PGA Tour schedule preceding The Open Championship. Notable commentators like Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo have called the action. Radio coverage is provided by PGA Tour Radio on SiriusXM, and extensive digital streaming is available through ESPN+ and the PGA Tour Live platform.

Category:Golf tournaments in Illinois Category:PGA Tour events Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1971 Category:July sporting events