Field -level media golf eye provides weekly news and storylines from each of the major North American golf tours.
PGA Tour
Last Tournament: Rocket Classic (Aldrich Potgiators)
This week: John Dere Classic, Silvis, Il., July 3-6
Course: TPC Deere Run (equal 71, 7,289 yards)
Purses: $ 8.4m (winner: $ 1.512m)
Defending Champion: Davis Thompson
Fedex Cup Leader: Scotty Chefler
How to follow
TV: Thursday-Friday: ET (Golf Channel) at 4-7 pm; Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 pm (Golf Channel), 3-6 pm (CBS)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday -Friday: 7:45 pm; Saturday -Sunday: 8 am -6 am
X: @jdclassic
Note: Fedexcup remains only five weeks before the introduction of the playoffs. Top 70 players will qualify for the first phase. Remarkable players on bubbles in this week’s area include Chris Kirk (No. 67), Thompson (No. 70), Ricky Fauler (No. 72) and Carl Wilips (No. 73), who were the first players to sign as a brand ambassador with Tiger Woods. Founder is playing the role of John Dere for the first time in 15 years, choosing the option to compete in the US instead of the Scottish Open ahead of the Open Championship. … John Deere Tour (1998) is a second-time-last-time title sponsor, only behind AT & T (1986), and an extension to serve as the title sponsor of the event through 2030. … The region includes the top three ranked Amateur in the world: Jackson Kovun of Obern, Ben James and Ol Miss’ Michael La Saso of Virginia. … Thompson, who set a 256 tournament scoring record last year, is trying to become the first player to successfully defend in John Dere as Steve Striker won three directly from 2009-11. … former US Rider Cup captain Zach Johnson will start his 23rd program – five more than any other player. He won in 2012 and finished three runs-ups.
Best bet: Ben Giffin (+1600 in Draftkings) is a pre-tournament favorite for the first time and for good reasons. The highest rank player, Griffin, has won twice this year and has six top -14 finish in the field at number 17. … Jason Day (+2500) is coming out of a T4 on passengers for its fourth top -10 of the year. … Michael Thorbornsen (+3000) finished T4 last week and it’s some time before winning the former Stanford Star on the tour. … JT Poston (+3000) is a three -time winner on a tour, which is re -resurrected against the region. … Potugator (+3500) won its first tour last week after being denied in another dramatic playoffs earlier this year. … Chris Kirk (+3500) lost in a playoffs last week after posting T12 at the US Open. … Jake Kannap (+3500) shot a course record for a T4 last week and just needs to keep four solid rounds together. … Nicholas Ichwaria (+5000) offers very complicated obstacles for someone winning twice in the last nine months and is coming out of a T6 in Detroit.
Next tournament: Genesis Scottish Open, North Barwick, Scotland, July 10–13; Isco Championship, Louisville, Kent., July 10-13
LPGA Tour
Last Tournament: Dow Championship (Somi Lee, Gin Im)
This week: closed.
Race for CME Globe Leader: Jeeno Thaitikul
Next tournament: Evian Championship, Avian-Less-Bans, France, July 10-13
Live Golf League
Last Tournament: Live Golf Dallas (Person: Patrick Reed; Team: Crushers GC)
This week: closed.
Season Leader: Person: Jokin Neeman; Team: Crusher GC
Next tournament: Live Golf Andalusia, Walderma, Spain, 11-13 July
PGA Tour Champion
Last Tournament: US Senior Open Championship (Padrig Harrington)
This week: closed.
Charles Schwab Cup Leader: Miguel Angel Gymnez
Next tournament: Dick Open, Andicott, NY, July 11-13
-Bield level media
