John Deere Classic
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| John Deere Classic | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Silvis, Illinois  |
| Established | 1971 |
| Course(s) | TPC at Deere Run |
| Par | 71 |
| Yardage | 7,257 |
| Tour | PGA Tour |
| Format | Strokeplay |
| Purse | US$4,100,000 |
| Month Played | July |
| Defunct | No |
| Tournament Record Score | |
| Aggregate | 259  David Frost |
| To-par | -22 J.P. Hayes |
| Current Champion | |
|
John Senden |
|
The John Deere Classic is an American professional golf event which is on the PGA TOUR schedule. It is played annually in July, the week before the British Open Championship, at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Deere & Company, which is a sponsor of the PGA Tour, hosts this tournament.
Because the tournament is held the week before the British Open, it often has trouble attracting many of the world's top players who prefer to spend the week in preparation for the Open, either by playing in the Scottish Open or by practicing on links courses. Traditionally many of the top American golfers spend the week playing on links in Ireland.
In recent years, the tournament has been able to generate more television air time and press because of the sponsor's exemptions given to teenager Michelle Wie. In 2005, the tournament's storyline also revolved around young American golfer Sean O'Hair. His win qualified him to play in the British Open the following week and was a significant part of his PGA Rookie of the Year season.
From the event's inception in 1971 through 1974 it was played at Crow Valley Country Club in Davenport, Iowa. It then moved to Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois from 1975-1999. Since 2000, the event has been at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis.
The John Deere Classic has received permission by the PGA TOUR to remain a yearly tour stop through the year 2010. After the shuffling of tournament sponsors, it is possible that in that time the Classic could have its date moved. If its usual date (the week before the Open Championship) is changed, the tournament may attract stronger fields.
[edit] Sponsor's exemptions for Michelle Wie
Teenage golfing phenomenon Michelle Wie first received a sponsor's exemption to play in the John Deere Classic during the 2005 PGA Tour season, part of Wie's effort to make the cut in a men's professional golf event. She shot an overall -1, missing the cut by two strokes. The tournament attracted thousands of visitors as fans flocked to see Wie play. Wie received a sponsor's exemption again in 2006; it was her first men's event with a cut since making the cut in a men's tournament for the first time earlier that year in Korea. She finished the first round at 6 over par, well behind the projected cut line of -2. In the high heat of the second day, she fell two strokes further behind and eventually voluntarily withdrew from the tournament after the 9th hole, citing heat exhaustion.
[edit] Winners
- 2006 John Senden
- 2005 Sean O'Hair
- 2004 Mark Hensby
- 2003 Vijay Singh
- 2002 J.P. Hayes
- 2001 David Gossett
- 2000 Michael Clark II
- 1999 J.L. Lewis
Quad City Classic
- 1998 Steve Jones
- 1997 David Toms
- 1996 Ed Fiori
- 1995 D.A. Weibring
Hardee's Golf Classic
- 1994 Mark McCumber
- 1993 David Frost
- 1992 David Frost
- 1991 D.A. Weibring
- 1990 Joey Sindelar
- 1989 Curt Byrum
- 1988 Blaine McCallister
- 1987 Kenny Knox
- 1986 Mark Wiebe
Lite Quad Cities Open
- 1985 Dan Forsman
Miller High Life QCO
- 1984 Scott Hoch
- 1983 Danny Edwards
- 1982 Payne Stewart
Quad Cities Open
- 1981 Dave Barr
- 1980 Scott Hoch
Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open
- 1979 D.A. Weibring
- 1978 Victor Regalado
- 1977 Mike Morley
- 1976 John Lister
- 1975 Roger Maltbie
Quad Cities Open
- 1974 Dave Stockton
- 1973 Sam Adams
- 1972 Deane Beman
- 1971 Deane Beman
