John Deere Classic: Your form stats for this week's trip to Illinois

Returning to the PGA Tour schedule, following a year's absence, is the John Deere Classic.

Last season's edition was one of a handful of Covid-affected tournaments which never made it back on to the Tour agenda during 2020, and was wiped completely from the rota.

For the past 17 years, the tournament has traditionally been staged the week before The Open Championship - the exception being in 2016 when it was moved to August and played over the same four days as the men's Olympic golf event in Rio.

Since 2000, it has been hosted by TPC Deere Run, one of the most rural locations on the PGA Tour calendar.

It is also one of the lowest-scoring venues the golfers will face all season.

In the 20 previous tournaments to be held here, the highest-scoring 72-hole total by a champion is 268.

The last 10 winners have averaged 262.3 for four rounds, which is 21.7 under par.

And for anyone hoping to claim the trophy this Sunday, then the ability to fire a bucket load of birdies is a must over this rolling parkland course.

Latest odds for this week's John Deere Classic

Russell Henley posted 28 birdies when finishing runner-up two years ago, while 2018 champion Michael Kim made 30.

A quick look at the stats will back this up. Among the 29 courses that have regularly staged PGA Tour events between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2020, TPC Deere Run was one of the easier for finding fairways off the tee (2nd), hitting greens in regulation (4th), and making fewest putts (4th).

TPC Deere Run, which opened its doors for business just a few months before it staged its first PGA Tour event, has lush tree-lined fairways and plenty of sand, although water is not a major issue.

On the tee

With the final major of the season taking place in England next week, it should come as no surprise that the field for the John Deere Classic is relatively poor - by PGA Tour standards.

The highest-ranked pro teeing-up is world No 16 Daniel Berger, with just three of the top-40 taking part.

It is one of those rare weeks, when the PGA Tour plays second fiddle to its European equivalent.

Latest odds for next week's Open Championship at Royal St George's

One player combining a good course history, with strong current form, is Brian Harman. The world No 46 is a former champion at TPC Deere Run and in his last nine starts has only once finished outside the top 20.

Another player with respectable course and current form is 42-year-old Kevin Streelman. The world No 53 has had three T10s at Deere Run, is currently enjoying his best season since 2014, and remains pretty solid from tee-to-green.

Outsider

And if you are searching for a long-shot to back this weekend, then Guillermo (Mito) Pereira might be worth checking out.

The Chilean has won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour over the past 17 months, including twice this year.

Even though this will only be his fourth PGA Tour event, the quality of field is well-below average, while the course is one of the easiest they will encounter all season.

Pereira should also be full of confidence following his exploits on the Korn Ferry Tour these past few months.

Course Comparisons (1.1.16 - 31.12.20)

Greens in Regulation (%)
75.98: Sedgefield (Wyndham) (1/29)
73.60: TPC Deere Run (John Deere Classic) (4/29)
58.99: Innisbrook (Valspar) (29/29)

Putting (GiR)
1.664: PGA West (host) (American Express) (1/29)
1.721: TPC Deere Run (John Deere Classic) (4/29)
2.668: Augusta National (Masters) (29/29)

Key: Above stats are for all 29 courses which staged four or more PGA Tour events between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2020. To qualify for a ranking (between 1 & 29), tournaments must have a minimum of 50 players competing over the final two rounds of the event. Averages do not include players who failed to complete at least 54 holes.

Twitter: Andy Swales@GolfStatsAlive

MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut

Note: List Contains Leading Reserves