Kodak Challenge Update: John Deere Classic

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Jul. 11, 2010

MORE: Interactive Kodak Challenge scorecards

The Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players, who must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes to be eligible to win. A player's lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will be counted. The player with the lowest cumulative score relative to par wins $1 million and the Kodak Challenge trophy.

Kodak Fan Photo Zone: Kodak is also helping fans at John Deere Classic this week capture a special "Kodak Moment" at the Kodak Fan Photo Zone, located in Independence Alley. Fans will be able to have their picture taken on the 9th fairway near the 17th green, and print it for free at the Kodak Photo Zone. In addition, fans can take advantage of this hands-on booth to learn about Kodak's latest products and how they can even be used for their golf game -- on and off the course.

THIS WEEK'S HOLE: The 557-yard Par 5 17th at TPC Deere Run
DESCRIPTION: It's reachable in two for big hitters, but they will have to perfectly place a tee ball on this slight dogleg left to do it. The fairway is tight, tree-lined and canted in the landing area. The green is guarded in front by bunkers, some quite short of the green to throw off your perspective. The green is elevated slightly with Pinehurst No. 2-style bentgrass collection areas all around. Miss the green, and you will have a very tough up-and-down. (Click here for tour).

Fourth round

Mark Wilson netted one of five Kodak Challenge eagles Sunday on hole No. 17 at the John Deere Classic to move within two shots of Rickie Fowlers Kodak Challenge lead. Wilson dropped a 31-foot putt to join the group tied at 9-under-par. Joining Wilson with Kodak Challenge birdies during the final round at TPC Deere Run were Matt Weibring, Garrett Willis, J.J Henry and Jason Bohn.

J.J. Henry holed out from 76 feet to capture Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day honors. Weibring had the easiest Kodak Challenge eagle Sunday after landing his approach shot just 8 feet from the cup. Vaughn Taylor posted a Kodak Challenge birdie moved him to 8-under-par, three shots behind leader, Rickie Fowler.

Kodak Challenge hole #17 was the second easiest hole at TPC Deere Run Sunday, yielding 5 eagles, 31 birdies, 33 pars and 5 bogeys. The John Deere Classic was the 20th of 30 tournaments to participate in the 2010 $1 million Kodak Challenge competition. The next Kodak Challenge hole is the par 4 #14 at St. Georges Golf and Country Club during the RBC Canadian Open on July 22-25.

Third round

Birdies (34) outnumbered pars (31) on hole #17, as the Kodak Challenge hole at John Deere Classic gave the pros plenty of scoring chances Saturday. Leading the charge were Troy Matteson, Kevin Sutherland and Henrik Bjornstad, who each carded an eagle on the par 5 569-yard hole #17. Bjornstad delivered the Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day, sticking his second shot on the long par 5 just four feet from the cup.

Andres Romero sunk a 28-footer for birdie to move to 8-under par in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition. Rickie Fowler leads the 2010 Kodak Challenge at 11-under-par.

Kodak Challenge hole #17 was the easiest hole at TPC Deere Run Saturday, yielding 3 eagles, 34 birdies, 31 pars and 6 bogeys.

Second round

John Senden and Brendon de Jonge each carded second-round birdies on the 557-yard Kodak Challenge hole Friday to move to 9 under, just two shots behind leader Rickie Fowler. De Jonge nailed his 46-yard approach shot to eight inches from the cup. Fowler, who leads the $1 million Kodak Challenge at 11 under, played No. 17 at par for the second consecutive day.

The "Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day" belonged to Blake Adams. Adams sunk a 51-foot putt to card the lone eagle on the long par 5 17th hole on Friday. Zach Johnson also birdied the Kodak Challenge hole to join the group at 8-under par.

Kodak Challenge hole No. 17 was the 13th most difficult hole at TPC Deere Run Thursday, yielding 1 eagle, 41 birdies, 82 pars, 21 bogeys and 2 double bogeys. The John Deere Classic is the 20th of 30 tournaments to participate in the 2010 $1 million Kodak Challenge competition.

First round

Charlie Wi carded an opening round birdie on the Kodak Challenge at the John Deere Classic to move to 10 under, just one stroke behind leader Rickie Fowler. Wi took advantage of ideal conditions to sink an 11-footer for birdie on the long par 5 at TPC Deere Run. Rod Pampling easily captured the "Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day" honors on Thursday, holing out from 87 yards to card the lone Kodak Challenge eagle on the 554-yard 17th hole. Kodak Challenge leader Rickie Fowler played the 17th hole at par to maintain his lead at 11 under.

While Pampling delivered the "Kodak Challenge Moment of the Day," the best Kodak Challenge recovery belonged to Andrew McLardy. McLardy holed out from 28 feet in a greenside bunker for birdie; it was a remarkable recovery after hitting his drive just 161 yards on the 554-yard hole. Robert Garrigus was the closest to the Kodak Challenge hole Thursday, dropping his second shot just 16 feet from the cup. Lee Janzen and Troy Merritt also carded birdies on No. 17 to stay within striking distance of the Kodak Challenge lead at 9-under-par.

No. 17 was the 16th most difficult hole at TPC Deere Run Thursday, yielding 1 eagle, 51 birdies, 92 pars, 7 bogeys and 2 double bogeys. The John Deere Classic is the 20th of 30 tournaments to participate in the 2010 $1 million Kodak Challenge competition.

Current Kodak Challenge Leaderboard

Rank	Player	Holes Played	Score
1.	Rickie Fowler	15	-11
2.	Charlie Wi	13	-10
3.	Lee Janzen	15	-9
3.	Troy Merritt	15	-9
3.	Brendon de Jonge	15	-9
3.	Mark Wilson	14	-9
3.	John Senden	13	-9
8.	Ted Purdy	15	-8
8.	Marc Leishman	12	-8