The Starter, Round 1: John Deere Classic

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Jul. 7, 2010

The first round of the John Deere Classic is set to begin Thursday. Here's a preview:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
8:28 a.m. ET No. 10		Rickie Fowler, Rocco Mediate, Michael Allen Allen, 20 points out of the FEC top 125 will join one of the TOUR's most colorful personalities and colorful dressers.
1:28 ET, No. 1		Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson, Tim Clark A recent first-time winner, last year's T2 and the highest-ranked FEC points player in the field. Why wouldn't you watch?
1:38 p.m. ET, No. 1		Steve Stricker, D.J. Trahan, Stuart Appleby Stricker returns to defend and plays with Appleby, who has trended upward (T29, T27, T11) his last three starts.

MORE ROUND 1: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Doug Bell previews Round 1:

The skies opened up Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon in Silvis, Ill. and nearly two inches of rain has left the TPC Deere Run layout vunerable for low scores. The course was playing firm and fast before mother nature decided to pour down but it certainly hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of what is a solid field featuring 28 players currently scheduled for the British Open charter flight, which will leave from the Moline airport Sunday night.

Thursday's forecast

Scattered T-Storms
Temp: 83 high/68 low
Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Winds from NNW at around 10 mph.

Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Davis Love III are among those who found out in the last few days that they are all in the British Open, and they are looking to play free and easy. I watched Bubba play his final few holes Wednesday, and he is anticipating a big week. He has his sights set on not only winning for the second time in three weeks but further cementing a Ryder Cup spot. Interestingly enough, Bubba missed last year's John Deere so he could take his wife Angie to play St. Andrews. They are both here this week and Bubba admitted they both had a blast Tuesday night at the John Deere Classic "Big Dig" event. That's when all the players and their families are invited to the John Deere headquarters to test drive all the latest digging equipment.

Bubba will be teeing off in one of the featured groups at 1:28 p.m. alongside local favorite Zach Johnson and PLAYERS champion Tim Clark who plays this course very well. At 1:38 p.m. defending champion Steve Stricker goes with Stuart Appleby and D.J. Trahan. The morning rounds are highlighted by the 8:28 a.m. grouping of Kenny Perry, Davis Love III and Boo Weekley.

This is a wonderful event, where the heat and humidity are usually a factor, and TPC Deere Run always proves to be one of the most underrated courses on the PGA TOUR. D.A. Weibring designed this beautiful layout along the banks of the Rock River and maybe the apple won't fall too far from the tree. His son Matt, who caddied for his father on several occassions here, will tee off in the last group of the day at 2:54 off No. 10.

The Film Room

	Preview: 2010 John Deere Classic The season-long points race for the FedExCup continues this week with the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Casey Black previews the week and highlights the field. Watch it
	Interview: Zach Johnson Zach Johnson tells the 2010 John Deere Classic Media that the moist conditions will likely yield many birdies on TPC Deere Run. Watch it
	Interview: Steve Stricker Defending champion Steve Stricker talks to the 2010 John Deere Classic media about the difficulty of maintaining a high level of play for a sustained period. Watch it