Expert Picks: John Deere Classic
Jul. 6, 2010
The PGA TOUR travels to Silvis, Ill. for the John Deere Classic this week. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders at TPC Deere Run:
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EXPERT PICKS
How it works: Our experts from PGATOUR.COM select the player they think will win this week's event. By using a draft process, no two picks can be the same. The player who wins the previous week picks last the following week.
SLEEPER PICKS
Of the players who didn't make the cut for our top picks, which have the best chance as sleepers? Here's how our experts see it. Click here |
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| Expert picks: John Deere Classic |
Anne
Szeker |
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STEVE STRICKER. The defending champion is comfortable here -- he tied the course record last year with a 61. He hasn't missed a cut all year, even with the clavicle injury, and he's had a few weeks to rest (last start at the U.S. Open). |
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Mike
McAllister |
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 | ZACH JOHNSON. In his first seven starts at TPC Deere Run, Johnson fared no better than T20. But he finished T2 last year, shooting 64-66 on the weekend. Playing in front of his Quad Cities fans, Johnson will be properly motivated.
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| If McAllister had the top pick ... Johnson |
Ryan
Smithson |
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KENNY PERRY. This has nothing to do with his win two years ago. I really feel he will get another couple of wins before he devotes himself full-time to the Champions Tour. He's still a top-20 ball-striker.
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| If Smithson had the top pick ... Johnson |
Brian
Wacker |
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RICKIE FOWLER. You knock on the door long enough, someone will answer eventually. In other words, those five top-10s are giving Fowler confidence and experience. A field without some of the game's top players will only increase those odds.
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| If Wacker had the top pick ... Stricker |
Lauren
Deason |
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TIM CLARK. The South African is a legitimate threat everytime he tees it up, as seen by his win at THE PLAYERS and his T12 finish in the U.S. Open. |
| If Deason had the top pick ... Clark |
John
Swantek |
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BOO WEEKLEY. Hasn't played the John Deere since 2002, so he's either convinced he can contend or is merely motivated by the prospect of a new lawn tractor. I think Boo's in it to win it.
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| If Swantek had the top pick ... Weekley |
Helen
Ross |
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JASON DAY. The talented young Aussie finally got his first win earlier this season and he's coming off a tie for ninth last week. Can he follow Justin Rose's lead and start winning in bunches?
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| If Ross had the top pick ... Johnson |
Casey
Black |
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BUBBA WATSON. He's having a great year. Amazing win at the Travelers Championship, runner-up at Bob Hope and third at Transitions. Like Justin Rose, now that his first win is out of the way, the pressure is off (a little).
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| If Black had the top pick ... Watson |
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| Standings after Week 27 |
LAST WEEK: Casey Black picked her first winner of the year in Justin Rose, moving her comfortably out of the cellar.
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| Position |
Name |
Wins |
Top-5s |
Top-10s |
Top-25s |
FedExCup points |
| 1 |
Ryan Smithson
Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
5 |
6 |
9 |
13 |
3302.83 |
| 2 |
Brian Wacker
Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
1847.93 |
| 3 |
Helen Ross
Chief of Correspondents, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
2 |
4 |
11 |
1761.58 |
| 4 |
Mike McAllister
Managing Editor, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
2 |
7 |
11 |
1539.74 |
| 5 |
Lauren Deason
Editorial Coordinator, PGATOUR.COM |
1 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
1458.22 |
| 6 |
John Swantek
Host, On The Tee |
1 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
1355.83 |
| 7* |
Casey Black
Host, PGA TOUR Today |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1022.75 |
| 8* |
Anne Szeker
Site Producer, PGATOUR.COM |
- |
3 |
3 |
5 |
643.66 |
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