John Deere Classic Tips

Previews and pre-event analysis from Golf Betting System's PGA Tour and European Tour coverage

Betting Preview - 2014 John Deere Classic

To read Steve Bamford's John Deere Classic Tips for 2014 click here. Follow Steve on twitter: @bamfordgolf

The John Deere Classic has been held in the week prior to The Open Championship since 1997. Being 6 time zones away from the United Kingdom in Illinois; the tournament which was formally known as the Quad City Classic, traditionally struggled to attract a stellar field for obvious reasons. However the tournament since 2008 has run an Open charter flight which touches down in Europe on Monday morning. The difference in golfing challenge between host course Deere Run, and any Open venue is marked, with recent winners of the John Deere Classic having to shoot close to -20/264 to capture the winner's cheque. Read Steve Bamford's John Deere Classic tips for 2014 click here

Tournament Facts & Scheduling

You can't argue with the quality of the Champions List that the John Deere Classic produces. Going back to 2005, Spieth, Zach Johnson, Stricker (x3), Perry, Byrd, Senden and O'Hair cannot be argued with in terms of quality; as all of these players have at the very least visited the Official World Golf Rankings across their careers. Deere Run is a short Par 71, which you'd have thought could be overpowered; but in the main course management and the ability to make birdies whilst keeping the card clean of bogeys is the critical factor here in Silvis, Illinois.

John Deere Classic Course Details

TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois. Designer: D.A. Weibring 1999, with PGA Tour Design renovation 2006/07; Course Type: Resort Par: 71 Length: 7,268 yards; Bunkers: 78 Fairways: Bentgrass Rough: Bentgrass; Greens:8,000 sq.ft average featuring Bentgrass Stimpmeter: 11ft Scoring Avg 2012: 69.55 Ranked 42 of 49 courses for difficulty on the 2012 PGA Tour 2013: 69.40 Ranked 36 of 43 courses in 2013 for difficulty.

Previous Champions: 2013: Jordan Spieth; 2012: Zach Johnson; 2011: Steve Stricker; 2010: Steve Stricker; 2009: Steve Stricker; 2008: Kenny Perry. 2013: -19/265; 2012: -20/264; 2011: -22/262; 2010: -26/258; 2009: -20/264; 2008: -16/268

Winners Prices: 2013: Spieth - 40/1 2012: Zach Johnson - 12/1 2011: Stricker - 7/1 2010: Stricker - 16/1 2009: Stricker - 15/1

Pre-Tournament Key Summary

No winner longer than 40/1 since 2009 says it all about the John Deere Classic when it comes to betting. If you are looking for the winner; you'd better pay extremely close attention to the top of the market. Quality, including Tour Maidens always seem to win out around the open confines of Deere Run.

It won't surprise that in a tournament where 4 straight rounds of 66 is the target, streaky scorers dominate the contending positions. Jordan, Zach and 'Mr John Deere' are all excellent putters, but accurate consistent ball strikers can also contend and win. Kenny Perry, Sean O'Hair, John Senden, Troy Matteson and Kyle Stanley are hardly Tiger Woods when it comes to the flat-stick,; but all have won or contended in recent year.

Ryder Cup, President's Cup and Open Championship qualification all seem to be motivating factors when it comes to the John Deere. Champions Perry, Stricker and Johnson all played in the 2008, 2010 and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup teams with Stricker and Spieth also qualifying for that seasons respective President's Cup squads. In terms of the Open Championship also keep your eye out for the Open Championship Qualifying Series, where there is a single spot in The Open field the leading non qualified player who finishes in the top 5. Previously a player could only get on the charter flight to the UK if they won this week's tournament. Below we track the results of Golf Betting System PGA Tour tipster Steve Bamford who has been producing weekly tips since 2009. You can also follow him on Twitter @bamfordgolf.

2013

• Steve Stricker 2.5pts Enhanced Win 15/2 RESULT: T10
• Ryan Moore 1.25pt EW 35/1 RESULT: T22
• Charley Hoffman 1pt EW 40/1 RESULT: MC
• John Rollins 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: MC
• Harris English 1pt EW 50/1 RESULT: T15

2012

• Steve Stricker 2.5pts Win 7/1 RESULT: T5
• Jonathan Byrd 1.25pt EW 28/1 RESULT: T54
• Carl Pettersson 1pt EW 40/1 RESULT: T36
• Charley Hoffman 1pt EW 45/1 RESULT: WD
• Ben Crane 1pt EW 66/1 RESULT: T13
• Chez Reavie 0.75pt EW 66/1 RESULT: MC