Chasing Momentum: John Deere Classic Sets the Stage for Troon and Beyond

With the final major of the season just two weeks away and the FedEx Cup Playoffs looming on the horizon, the John Deere Classic arrives at a pivotal moment on the PGA Tour calendar. Held annually in Silvis, Illinois, the event has long been known as a proving ground for emerging talent and a pressure cooker for those fighting to extend their season. While it doesn’t carry Signature Event status, the implications are just as real: a win here means exemption, security, and momentum heading into the season’s most defining stretch. For many in the field, this week is about chasing momentum, not just toward Royal Troon, but toward survival in the FedEx Cup race. Expect a spirited, high-scoring affair as hungry players look to make a statement before the spotlight shifts overseas.

Tournament Details

Location: TPC Deere Run – Silvis, Illinois

Dates: July 3rd – 6th, 2025

Defending Champion: Davis Thompson

Purse: $8.4 million

FedEx Cup Points: 500

Event Type: Regular PGA Tour Event

Course Week Breakdown

TPC Deere Run offers an inviting canvas for players who can go low. A par-71 measuring just over 7,280 yards, the course rewards aggressive play and hot putters with wide fairways, soft landing areas, and greens that yield birdies in bunches. It has historically produced some of the lowest winning scores on Tour, with the cut line often hovering well under par. Course management still matters, but this is a venue where confidence with a wedge and comfort on the greens take center stage. The setup also allows for dramatic leaderboard movement, no lead is safe, and final rounds at Deere Run are often decided in a flurry of birdies over the closing holes.

This week’s weather outlook is favorable, with warm Midwestern temperatures in the 90s and some wind expected through the weekend. To contend, players will need to make a high volume of birdies while avoiding unforced errors that can derail momentum. For bubble players fighting for FedEx Cup security, the course offers a perfect chance to flip the narrative, if they’re bold enough to take it.

Returning to Defend with Confidence

Last year’s winner, Davis Thompson, broke through in Silvis with a wire-to-wire victory built on precision iron play and a fearless mindset. It was a career-changing moment for the former Georgia Bulldog, who had flirted with contention all season but finally closed the deal at TPC Deere Run. Thompson returns this week not just as the defending champion, but as a more mature, composed player whose confidence has grown with every round since. His form this season has been steady, if unspectacular, but the familiarity of Deere Run could be exactly what he needs to recapture his spark. Thompson knows how to go low here, and with the pressure of defending behind him, he enters as a quiet but serious threat to repeat.

A Favorite with Something to Prove

Ben Griffin arrives in Illinois as the betting favorite, thanks to a season filled with consistent performances, near misses, and a game trending in the right direction. Currently just outside the Ryder Cup bubble and gaining ground in the FedEx Cup standings, Griffin is looking for the kind of breakthrough win that could elevate him from contender to confirmed star. TPC Deere Run suits his strengths, sharp approach play, consistent driving, and a reliable putter that heats up on accessible greens. Griffin has quietly strung together multiple top-20 finishes and a win this summer, and the softer field this week presents a real opportunity to finish the job. With a win, he could lock up a playoff seed, boost his Ryder Cup credentials, and head to Royal Troon as one of the Tour’s hottest names.

FedEx Cup Bubble Watch

For players hovering around the FedEx Cup Playoffs cutline, the urgency is now unmistakable, and for names like Rickie Fowler currently 72nd, Tom Kim currently 90th, and Joel Dahmen currently 95th, the John Deere Classic isn’t just another event. It’s a lifeline. Fowler’s season has been marked by inconsistency, with flashes of brilliance muted by weekend fades. Once a top-10 staple, he now finds himself battling to avoid missing the postseason for the second time in three years. Meanwhile, Tom Kim, once pegged as the Tour’s next breakout star, has struggled to string together four solid rounds, and his putting woes have turned promising starts into mid-pack finishes. Joel Dahmen, always a fan favorite, has been stuck in neutral all season and needs a big week to climb into the safe zone. TPC Deere Run provides a wide-open opportunity for all three, with low scoring, a forgiving layout, and a chance to reset the narrative with one good performance. However, pressure can be a double-edged sword, and for these bubble players, a missed cut would be a devastating setback. The margin for error is gone. The moment is now.

Final Thoughts

The John Deere Classic often flies under the radar, tucked between the final Signature Event and The Open Championship, but this year’s edition could have massive implications. From Davis Thompson’s title defense to Ben Griffin’s pursuit of a breakthrough, from rising stars to desperate playoff hopefuls, the field is full of stories waiting to unfold. The forgiving nature of TPC Deere Run means fireworks are expected and necessary. Whether it’s a young player chasing their first win or a veteran fighting to extend their season, the urgency in Silvis is real. Momentum is everything this time of year, and this week, there’s plenty to chase.