James Mason
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Sharp irons and hot putters have been the order of the day for the last 2 PGA Tour events and that remit for success is unlikely to change for this week’s tournament, the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. Austrian Sepp Straka carded a sublime 62 for his final 18 holes last year to claim this tournament in Illinois — the lowest closing round in the Quad Cities in 41 years — while -20 or better has been the winning score in 12 of the 23 editions at this course. Let’s break down our John Deere Classic predictions and golf best bets for this week’s PGA Tour event.
John Deere Classic golf picks and predictions
Denny McCarthy (+2800)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
After 2 missed cuts in his first 3 cracks at TPC Deere Run, Denny McCarthy has got to grips with this course over the last 2 editions — recording back-to-back sixth-placed finishes — and he looks set for another bold challenge. The 31-year-old came close to breaking his PGA Tour duck at the Texas Open in April — losing out to Akshay Bhatia in a playoff — and he put in another solid showing when T6 at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Ranking second in strokes gained: putting and fifth in putting average, McCarthy is one of the best exponents of the flat stick and that should give him a significant advantage this week. Arriving fresh after skipping last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, this may finally end up being his moment.
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Nick Dunlap (+3500)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
It was a whirlwind start to the season for Nick Dunlap after his American Express victory as an amateur in January, but he has handled the step up to professional status seamlessly and can be a big player this week.
The 20-year-old is a dab hand on the greens, ranking 15th in putting average, and he heads into this event on the back of a tied-10th finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. What was telling about that display in Detroit was the iron play, with Dunlap T1 in greens in regulation and fifth in strokes gained: approach. If the world number 69 can replicate that long game here and roll the rock well, it would be no surprise to see him challenging for his first win since turning pro.
Eric Cole (+5500)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Eric Cole is another player who wields the flat stick with authority, highlighted by his putting average ranking of 23rd, and he arrives off the back of a confidence-boosting T6 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The American was in the top 20 for strokes gained: approach at Detroit Golf Club and it seems like a matter of time before he makes his PGA Tour breakthrough. That could come this week.
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