With the world's elite players resting ahead of The Open, the 2026 John Deere Classic (July 2–5 at TPC Deere Run) is one of the most wide-open events of the PGA Tour season. While Chris Gotterup and Ben Griffin lead the field as co-favorites, the scorable layout rewards precise wedge play and hot putting over raw driving distance. This course setup opens the door for a diverse group of contenders, ranging from veteran course horses like Jordan Spieth to rising young stars like Blades Brown and pro debutant Jackson Koivun. Here is our authoritative ranking of who is most likely to contend in Silvis.
The Silvis Shootout: Deciphering the TPC Deere Run Test
TPC Deere Run is a notorious birdie machine. Winning scores here consistently blow past the 20-under-par mark—a feat accomplished in nine of the last twelve editions of the tournament. However, unlike standard PGA Tour venues that yield to modern bombers, Deere Run acts as a great equalizer. Forced layups, strategic elevation changes, and penal, grabby rough effectively neutralize raw distance off the tee. Instead, success in Silvis is dictated by a sharp wedge game, precise placement off the tee, and a putter capable of catching fire over four days.
This distinct strategic profile is exactly why the John Deere Classic produces some of the most unpredictable leaderboards of the year. When raw power is taken off the table, the playing field flattens, giving dozens of players a genuine path to the trophy. The following power rankings prioritize players whose current form matches this precise wedge-and-putt requirement.
The 2026 John Deere Classic Power Rankings
1. Chris Gotterup
As the highest-ranked player in this week's field, Chris Gotterup represents the logical spearhead of the tournament. Gotterup combines elite raw talent with a strong track record at Deere Run, highlighted by a T4 finish in a previous appearance. He fits the profile of a modern scorer who can dismantle par 5s and short par 4s when his ball-striking clicks.
The only concern is Gotterup's volatility. His tournament history also includes a missed cut, reminding observers that he is not a standard metronome. Nevertheless, in a field lacking top-tier star power, Gotterup possesses the highest ceiling and remains the man to beat.
2. Ben Griffin
If Gotterup is the class pick, Ben Griffin is the form selection. After struggling for consistency earlier in the season, Griffin has surged back into contention with three top-20 finishes in his last four starts—most notably a strong performance at the Travelers Championship. The catalyst has been his approach play, gaining strokes on the field in four consecutive events after a prolonged slump.
This turnaround is critical for TPC Deere Run, where approach proximity is the ultimate metric. Griffin already has a T5 finish on his resume at this venue, and with his iron play peaking at the right moment, the three-time PGA Tour winner is primed for a deep run on Sunday.
3. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth's relationship with TPC Deere Run is historic. It is the site of his breakthrough maiden victory as a teenager in 2013 and a dramatic playoff win in 2015. Silvis is woven into Spieth's origin story, and he carries a level of comfort and confidence on these bentgrass greens that rarely leaves him.
The objective reality is that Spieth's current form is a shadow of his peak years, as he continues to search for swing consistency. Ranking him third is a bet on course history and muscle memory rather than statistical trends. Yet, a low-stakes birdie shootout is precisely the kind of environment where Spieth can rediscover his rhythm.
4. Blades Brown
Blades Brown arrives in Silvis on a sensational run of form across the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. With three top-15 finishes in his last four Tour starts, the teenager has secured special temporary membership for the remainder of the season. Fearless, aggressive, and highly confident, Brown has shown a scoring capability that aligns perfectly with a low-scoring resort course.
While the pressure of chasing a breakthrough PGA Tour victory is a formidable hurdle for any young player, Brown's momentum makes him a threat to capture a wide-open event like the John Deere.
5. Jackson Koivun
The professional debut of Jackson Koivun is one of the most anticipated storylines of the summer. The reigning Haskins Award winner as the nation's top collegiate golfer has compiled a staggering amateur record, including a T23 finish at the U.S. Open and three top-10 finishes in limited Tour appearances. Crucially, Koivun finished T11 at TPC Deere Run last year while still an amateur, proving his game fits the venue.
Winning a professional debut is an exceptionally rare achievement, which keeps Koivun at fifth. However, based on pure ball-striking metrics and competitive poise, he is the most likely player to exceed expectations this week.
The Depth Chart: Contenders Lurking in the Shadows
Given the unpredictable nature of TPC Deere Run, the winner could easily emerge from outside the top five. Denny McCarthy presents a textbook course fit; the elite putter has three career top-five finishes at the John Deere Classic and enters with solid course history. Lucas Glover, the 2021 champion, remains a perennial threat around this layout, boasting multiple top-six finishes since his victory. Emiliano Grillo, a two-time runner-up in Silvis, continues to knock on the door, while 2023 champion J.T. Poston possesses the scoring tools to win again, provided he can shake off a catastrophic 12 on a single hole at the Travelers.
Additionally, former stars looking for a spark like Rickie Fowler and Daniel Berger, alongside emerging talents Pierceson Coody and Michael Brennan, ensure a highly volatile leaderboard. At the John Deere Classic, the margin between a missed cut and a Sunday trophy presentation is razor-thin.
The Raw Read: Expecting the Unexpected at Deere Run
The hard truth about the John Deere Classic is that predicting a winner is a fool's errand. With the game's top stars overseas preparing for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, the tournament becomes a pure test of hot putting. The history of TPC Deere Run is littered with maiden winners and shocking Sunday charges.
If forced to identify a single logical champion, Ben Griffin's peaking approach numbers make him the most sensible choice. However, golf fans should not be surprised if Blades Brown, Jackson Koivun, or an unheralded longshot raises the trophy. The John Deere Classic is designed for drama and breakthrough moments, and the 2026 edition promises to deliver exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 John Deere Classic?
The 2026 John Deere Classic is scheduled for July 2–5, 2026, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. The event features a 144-player field competing for a share of the $8.8 million purse.
Who is favored to win the John Deere Classic?
Chris Gotterup and Ben Griffin enter the week as the co-favorites. Other notable names near the top of the oddboard include Keith Mitchell, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler.
Why are so many top-ranked players absent from the field?
Most of the world's top-ranked players are taking the week off to travel overseas and prepare for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
What makes TPC Deere Run a unique course challenge?
TPC Deere Run is a scorable par-71 layout that rewards precise wedge play and hot putting. Because forced layups and thick rough minimize the advantage of driving distance, the course levels the field, making the event highly unpredictable.
Is Jordan Spieth competing this week?
Yes, Jordan Spieth is in the field. TPC Deere Run is a special venue for Spieth, who won his first PGA Tour event here in 2013 and added a second title in 2015.
Who is Jackson Koivun, and what are his prospects?
Jackson Koivun is the reigning Haskins Award winner as the top college golfer. He is making his professional debut this week at Deere Run, a course where he finished T11 as an amateur in 2025.