John Deere Classic Preview

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With a great course and a great field, the John Deere Classic boasts a great golf tournament to watch and wager on. Get all of the latest odds and wagering opportunities at BetPhoenix. Now for a look at the course.

The land that is the presently the TPC Deere Run has seen many changes to its residents, but few to the area itself. The land was and still is rife with wildlife, making it an optimal place for Native Americans that resided here. In more recent history, this land was home to one of the top cattle-breeding and Arabian Horse Farms in the country. From the outset, Designer and former Tour Player D.A. Weibring recognized the area's rich history and strived to preserve it.

With land and historical preservation paramount in his mind, Weibring drew up plans for the course that entailed very little molding, mostly just adjusting to the 170-acre venue. When the course was finished in 1999, Weibring had managed to disturb less than 60 acres of the site. After the course's completion, Weibring decided to name each golf hole to further pay homage to the surrounding area.

The resultant Par 71, plays at 7,257 yards for the tournament. It has a course rating of 75.1 and a slope rating of 130. The tee boxes and fairways feature a 0.325" and 0.4" cut, respectively, of Southshore Creeping bent grass, while the greens are a 0.115" cut of L-93 Creeping Bent Grass. The rough is a 4" cut of Kentucky Blue Grass. Lining the course is 78 bunkers and three water hazards that come into play on five holes.

The synergy of TPC Deere Run and its surroundings create the course's beauty, and its difficulty. The holes have very natural feels and incorporate the lay of the land if at all possible. Because of this, the course offers birdie opportunities for successful shot-making, but bad shots do not come with impunity.

Number 14 is the best example of this. The 358-yard Par 4 is driveable because it plays downhill, but those who attempt it do so at their own risk. If the drive comes up short, the player is faced with a blind approach shot to an elevated green. If the drive is long, the golfer runs the risk of having their ball trickle down the nearly 60-foot embankment that guards the rear of the green.

The course's signature hole, number 16, is known as Mother Earth. The scenic Par 3 lies on a 40-foot bluff that overlooks the Rock River. The hole requires all carry and is guarded in front by two large bunkers. Any slip-up in the approach could lead to a 4.

For this year's event, all 80 bunkers were redone as the sand was taken out, the bunkers reshaped and filed in making them a lot more consistent.

Even though the fairways aren't that demanding, for J.P. Hayes (2002),Mark Hensby (2004) and Sean O'Hair (2005) this has proven to help in there victories. For the rest of the champions since 1997 they all are between 15th and 49th. Last year Stricker was T18th, hitting 41 of the 56 fairways.

Being in the lead after the third round doesn't guarantee a victory, especially at the John Deere. Since 1995 only six players, David Toms in 1997, David Gossett in 2001, J.P. Hayes in 2002, John Senden in 2006 , Kenny Perry in 2009 and Steve Stricker last year have led going into the final round.

Always think underdog or new player that has never won before. Since the event moved to the TPC course only four favorites has won Vijay Singh in 2003, Kenny Perry in 2008 and Steve Stricker the last two years.

The tournament has the overall reputation of first time winners. Since 1973, 18 rookie winners including six of the last nine (J.L. Lewis in 1999, Michael Clark in 2000, David Gossett in 2001, Mark Hensby in 2004, Sean O'Hair and John Senden in 2006) have won the John Deere so the trend may continue this week.

One last important element in winning this week will be making lot's of birdies. The TPC Deere Run gave up 1,676 birdies in 2007 and 1,714 in 2008 and in 2009 along with 1,810 last year. In 2011 the course that have seen the most birdies on is TPC River Highlands with 1,731.

This is a can’t miss event for this week in the world of golf as they tune up for the next big major.

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