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The 2025 John Deere Classic tees off this week with a wide-open field and a chance for young talent to shine. With the Open Championship just two weeks away, most of the PGA Tour’s top players are opting to take another week to prepare, which opens the door for lesser-known names to grab headlines. That makes this a prime week for savvy bettors to capitalize on some generous PGA Tour odds.
Before locking in your wagers, be sure to explore all the latest PGA Tour analysis and takes from our golf betting experts. You can also catch up on recent golf results or check out our golf picks this week to stay ahead of the curve.
Where Is the John Deere Classic?
The John Deere Classic is held annually at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
This 7,268-yard par-71 track has hosted the event since 2000 and has long been a proving ground for rising talent and first-time winners. As was the case last week in Detroit at the Rocket Classic, we’re in for another birdie-fest. TPC Deere Run is another easy course, and this tournament produces low scores every year as a result.
How To Watch the John Deere Classic?
Fans can catch the action via broadcast coverage on Golf Channel and CBS throughout the weekend. For those streaming, the John Deere Classic live stream will be available on ESPN+ and the PGA Tour Live platform. Here, you’ll find full coverage of featured groups and holes all tournament long.
Who Won the John Deere Classic 2024?
Davis Thompson claimed the 2024 John Deere Classic with a ridiculous score of 28-under. That was 4 strokes better than Michael Thorbjornsen, Luke Clanton, and C.T. Pan, who finished tied for 2nd at -24.
2025 John Deere Classic Odds
Here are the updated odds ahead of the 2025 John Deere Classic:
PGA Odds | PGA Odds |
---|---|
Ben Griffin (+1600) | Jason Day (+2200) |
Denny McCarthy (+3000) | J.T. Poston (+3000) |
Si Woo Kim (+3000) | Michael Thorbjornsen (+3500) |
Luke Clanton (+3500) | Davis Thompson (+3500) |
Sungjae Im (+3500) | Chris Kirk (+3500) |
Chris Gotterup (+3500) | Aldrich Potgeiter (+4000) |
Michael Kim (+4000) | Lucas Glover (+4000) |
Kevin Yu (+4000) | Jake Knapp (+4000) |
Thorbjorn Olesen (+4000) | Samuel Stevens (+4000) |
Bud Cauley (+4000) | Pierceson Coody (+4000) |
Alex Smalley (+4500) |
With Ben Griffin as the betting favorite at +1600 and a crowded second tier around the +3000 to +4000 range, there’s no dominant name in this week’s field. That’s what makes this event so intriguing from a betting standpoint. Smart picks from the best handicappers could lead to big payouts with so much parity in the field.
The John Deere Classic Favorites
The following golfers are considered the odds-on favorites to win the John Deere Classic, according to the top sports betting sites:
Ben Griffin (+1600)
Ben Griffin enters the 2025 John Deere Classic as the betting favorite at +1600, and it’s easy to see why. He’s coming off a solid T-13 finish at the Rocket Classic, where he went 66-67-69-68, good for 18-under par. That came on the heels of a strong showing at the Travelers, where he tied for 14th and fired a 67-70-69-67 over four rounds. Griffin’s been on a tear lately, stacking up top-20 finishes and gaining strokes in all the right places.
His track record at TPC Deere Run is equally encouraging. In last year’s John Deere Classic, Griffin finished tied for 5th with a scorching 23-under performance, logging rounds of 68-67-64-62. That kind of history at this course bodes well for another impressive showing, especially considering how consistent his game has been over the last couple of months.
Statistically, Griffin has been dialed in. Over his last five tournaments, he’s averaging 2.445 Strokes Gained: Total, with particular strength in putting (+0.958) and approach play (+0.786). That form has helped him notch five top-10 finishes in his last 10 events, including a win at the Charles Schwab Challenge and a runner-up at the Memorial. If you’re looking for someone whose game is clicking across the board, Griffin’s your guy.
Beyond the scores and stats, he’s also currently sixth in the FedExCup standings and ranks top 50 on TOUR in nearly every key strokes gained metric. His 69.66% Greens in Regulation rate shows how often he’s setting up birdie looks, and when the putter is hot – as it has been – he’s proven he can go low. At +1600, Griffin is priced like a contender, and his recent play says that’s exactly what he is.
Jason Day (+2200)
Jason Day enters the 2025 John Deere Classic with +2200 odds to win, and while he may not be the favorite, there’s a case to be made for his upside. He’s coming off a T-4 finish at the Travelers Championship a couple of weeks ago, where he shot four rounds in the 60s and finished at 13-under. That performance was his best of the season and a reminder that Day still has the game to contend, even if he hasn’t always put it all together this year.
Day’s history at TPC Deere Run is limited, but encouraging. He finished T-23 here last year, carding rounds of 69-67-66-66 to reach 16-under. That’s nothing to scoff at, especially given how competitive the leaderboard tends to be at the John Deere. If he can clean up a few things off the tee and dial in his irons, he’s got a path to contend on a course that rewards consistency and scoring.
From a strokes gained perspective, Day’s been a mixed bag. He’s gained just 0.662 total strokes over his last five events, with his strongest category being around-the-green play, where he ranks 14th on the PGA Tour. His putting and approach numbers have been inconsistent, but he did gain 0.272 putting strokes per round over his last five starts. That’s enough to suggest he’s trending in the right direction.
While his driving distance ranks 131st on TOUR and his overall tee-to-green stats aren’t elite, Day is still racking up FedExCup points and sits with three top-10 finishes in his last ten outings. At +2200, you’re betting on his ability to flash the kind of all-around game he showed at the Travelers—and if he brings that to TPC Deere Run this week, he’ll be in the mix.
Denny McCarthy (+3000)
Denny McCarthy heads into the 2025 John Deere Classic with +3000 odds to win, and if course history is any indicator, he could be a sneaky pick. He’s finished T-7 or better in three of his last four starts at TPC Deere Run, including a 21-under performance last year that landed him a tie for 7th. The year before? T-6. And the year before that? Another T-6. Clearly, McCarthy knows how to score at this track.
While he hasn’t posted any wins lately, McCarthy has quietly been racking up top-20s – five in his last ten appearances, to be exact – and he tied for eighth at the PGA Championship, one of the biggest events of the season. His putter is his best weapon. He ranks 9th on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting and has gained 0.570 strokes per round on the greens over his last five events. That’s the kind of tool that plays well at a birdie-fest like the John Deere.
The concern with McCarthy is off the tee, where he ranks 133rd on TOUR and has lost over 0.3 strokes per round in his last five starts. But the John Deere Classic isn’t overly demanding in terms of distance, and his accuracy and short game can help offset some of those tee box issues. He also ranks 64th in Strokes Gained: Approach and has been gaining a little ground there lately.
Given how much success he’s had at this event – and how good his putting still is – it’s easy to see why McCarthy is worth a flier at +3000. If the flatstick heats up and he keeps it in play off the tee, he’s got a legitimate shot to contend yet again at one of his favorite venues.
J.T. Poston (+3000)
At +3000, J.T. Poston offers intriguing value for the 2025 John Deere Classic, especially considering he won this event just three years ago. That 2022 victory came behind a 21-under total with rounds of 62-65-67-69, and he’s followed it up with respectable finishes of T-6 in 2023 and T-30 in 2024. He feels comfortable at TPC Deere Run, a course that rewards precision and scoring, both of which are in his wheelhouse.
Poston’s recent results have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but the upside is there. He tied for 5th at the PGA Championship in May with a 5-under finish, and he posted a T-11 at RBC Heritage a few weeks prior. Those performances show he’s capable of contending when his game is dialed in, and his recent run includes three top-20 finishes in his last ten events.
Statistically, Poston isn’t blowing anyone away, but he’s been decent across the board lately. Over his last five tournaments, he’s averaged 0.629 Strokes Gained: Total, with his strongest areas being putting (+0.429) and off the tee (+0.210). His approach numbers are a weak point, but the rest of his game has picked up the slack, and his touch around the greens (ranked 33rd on the PGA Tour) can help him save strokes in important spots.
He’s not the most consistent player in the field, but Poston has shown he can get hot. And when he does, he wins. With past success at TPC Deere Run and recent form that includes good major finishes, he’s an appealing option in the mid-tier odds range. If his irons show up, there’s a real path for Poston to add a second John Deere title to his resume.
The Best John Deere Classic Betting Value
Among the John Deere Classic field, the following golfers offer the best betting value:
Chris Gotterup (+3500)
Chris Gotterup heads into the 2025 John Deere Classic at +3500 to win it. While he’s not among the betting favorites, his recent form makes him a very interesting sleeper pick. Gotterup has five top-20 finishes in his last ten starts, including a T-12 at the Zurich Classic and a T-13 at the Myrtle Beach Classic. He’s gaining momentum heading into a course where he previously flashed real upside, finishing T-4 here back in 2022 with a 17-under total.
The 2024 edition didn’t go quite as well – he missed the cut after shooting 66-73 – but TPC Deere Run suits his strengths. Gotterup is one of the best drivers of the ball on the Tour, ranking 12th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and averaging over 315 yards per drive (7th longest). Over his last five events, he’s gained an elite 1.186 strokes per round off the tee, consistently setting himself up for scoring opportunities.
What’s held Gotterup back is the putter. He ranks 129th in Strokes Gained: Putting and has lost an average of 0.226 strokes on the greens over his past five tournaments. But the rest of his game has been strong enough to overcome that. In fact, he’s averaged a stellar 1.501 total strokes gained per round in his last five starts, which puts him among the hottest players statistically in this field.
At +3500, you’re betting on raw firepower and current form. Gotterup has both. If he can find even a league-average putting week, his combination of distance, approach play, and momentum could put him right back in the Sunday conversation at TPC Deere Run.
Lucas Glover (+4000)
Lucas Glover returns to TPC Deere Run with +4000 odds to win the 2025 John Deere Classic. He should also have a little extra confidence thanks to his past success here. He claimed victory at this event in 2021 with a 19-under score, and he’s added a T-6 in 2023 and a T-23 in 2024 to his John Deere resume. That’s three made cuts in his last four trips, including a win, which makes Glover one of the more reliable veterans in the field this week.
His recent form is quietly solid, with three top-10 finishes in his last ten appearances, including a T-3 at THE PLAYERS and a T-9 at the Travelers just a couple of weeks ago. That kind of momentum suggests Glover could be peaking at the right time. While he did miss the cut at the U.S. Open and the Memorial, his good weeks have been strong enough to keep him relevant in tougher fields.
Glover’s stats highlight exactly why he thrives at a place like TPC Deere Run. He ranks 24th on the Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 0.621 strokes per round in his last five events with his irons. He’s also gained strokes off the tee and around the green, making him a well-rounded threat. The one concern? The putter. He’s lost 0.473 strokes on the greens recently, and ranks 139th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the season. Not great, Bob!
Still, at +4000, you’re getting a former champ with elite iron play and current form that suggests he’s capable of another strong run. If Glover’s putter cooperates, he’s more than capable of making a weekend charge on a course he’s already conquered.
The Top John Deere Classic Longshot
Kevin Yu checks in with +4000 odds and might be one of the more underrated plays in the field. He’s posted two strong finishes at TPC Deere Run – T-20 last year with a 17-under total and T-6 in 2023 at 16-under. That kind of consistency at this scoring-friendly venue makes him worth a long look, especially given how explosive he’s been at times this season.
Yu’s recent results show a player who’s rounding into form. He finished third at the RBC Canadian Open with a 17-under week and posted a T-12 at the Valspar earlier this year. In total, he has five top-25s in his last ten starts and is averaging a very healthy 1.220 strokes gained total per round over his last five tournaments. That’s one of the highest clips among players in this odds range.
Stat-wise, Yu is an absolute weapon off the tee, ranking 6th on the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and averaging 307 yards in driving distance. Combine that with a solid approach game (28th in SG: Approach), and you get a player who can consistently give himself birdie chances. He’s also been gaining over half a stroke with the putter per round in recent events, even if his season-long average is slightly in the red. In a birdie-fest, generating as many birdie chances as possible is obviously important.
At +4000, Yu comes with a high ceiling. His encouraging course history adds to his appeal. If he maintains his recent gains with the putter and keeps pounding fairways like he has all season, he’s got the profile to go low at TPC Deere Run. This could easily be the week he puts it all together.
John Deere Classic Predictions
Kevin Yu is the pick to win the 2025 John Deere Classic. At +4000, he brings the perfect mix of recent form, solid ball-striking, and course history. That’s the combination that often leads to victory at TPC Deere Run.
Over his last five events, Yu has averaged 1.220 Strokes Gained: Total per round, one of the highest marks in the field, and he’s doing it with power and precision. His SG: Off-the-tee and SG: Approach numbers give him a terrific combo for attacking the soft, scorable layout in Silvis. Add in his T-6 and T-20 finishes here the last two years, and the comfort level is there.
The biggest question mark for Yu has always been the putter, but lately, it’s been heating up. He’s gained over 0.6 strokes putting per round across his last five starts, a massive improvement from his season-long average. When you pair a surging flatstick with a top-tier tee-to-green game, that’s a formula for winning, not just contending.
In a field seriously lacking star power, Yu stands out as the most complete player trending in the right direction, and he has all the tools to grab his second career PGA Tour win this week.
Bet: Kevin Yu (+4000)
John Deere Classic Winners
The following is a list of the most recent John Deere Classic winners:
Year | Winner | Strokes |
---|---|---|
2024 | Davis Thompson | -28 |
2023 | Sepp Straka | -21 |
2022 | J.T. Poston | -21 |
2021 | Lucas Glover | -19 |
2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | N/A |
2019 | Dylan Frittelli | -21 |
2018 | Michael Kim | -27 |
2017 | Bryson DeChambeau | -18 |
2016 | Ryan Moore | -22 |
2015 | Jordan Spieth | -20 |