Updated July 1, 2026, 1:06 p.m. ET
The 2026 John Deere Classic tees off on Thursday, Jul. 2, from TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Our Golfweek staffers have locked in their picks to win this weekend.
Here’s who we expect to sit atop the leaderboard when play ends on Sunday.
Follow along with all the action this week with Golfweek and USA TODAY Sports for a live leaderboard, rankings and money list.
John Deere Classic Outright WinnerDavid Dusek: Tom Kim (+3300)
A T-15 at the RBC Canadian Open and then solo third at Shinnecock Hills, Tom Kim will head to Illinois rested and ready to keep playing well.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Cameron Jourdan: Rickie Fowler (+3500)
Why not go with Rickie this week? He had three straight top-nine finishes before missing the cut in three consecutive starts after. He is not playing his best right now. But the JDC is a birdiefest, and if Fowler can get hot, perhaps this week will be his seventh PGA Tour win.
Tim Schmitt: Doug Ghim (+4000)
If Ghim can just get that putter working, he’ll break through sooner than later. He’s been sneaky good of late, with just one round about 70 in his last 23. And the University of Texas product hits fairway after fairway, now he just needs to capitalize on the quick, but smooth greens at TPC Deere Run.
Todd Kelly: Tom Kim (+2500)
Kim played great at the U.S. Open, posting a solo third, and it was a long time coming. He tied for 15th at the RBC Canadian Open the week before that, so here’s a bet that he keeps this upward trajectory going at the JDC.
Jason Lusk: Rickie Fowler (+3500)
Fowler was on a bit of a heater in April and early May, including three top-10s in a row, before suffering a stubborn sinus infection and missing several cuts in a row. A T-38 at last week’s Travelers, in which he shot four rounds in the 60s, showed that he might be ready to resume the heater. He hasn’t won since 2023, but this could be the week.
Nicholas Stavas: Jordan Spieth (+3300)
Jordan Spieth was a late addition to this year’s JDC field and it stands to reason that it’s because he needs points and a chance to compete against a slightly weaker field than what he sees in other weeks. He’s won at TPC Deere Run twice before (albeit more than a decade ago) and if he finally makes the putter switch that his fans have been begging him to make, we could see a different Spieth from what he’s shown us in recent years. We’ve all been waiting for him to put it all together and rejoin the winner’s circle. Why not this week?
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
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