Top Picks and Rising Stars for the John Deere Classic 2026

WHO:

Fox News - Jackson Koivun is a golfer making his first start as a full-time PGA TOUR pro.

Fox News - Jacob Bridgeman is a golfer who won The Genesis Invitational in 2026.

Fox News - Tom Kim is a golfer with three wins on the PGA TOUR.

Fox News - Denny McCarthy is a golfer with a strong course history at the John Deere Classic.

Fox News - Emiliano Grillo is a two-time PGA TOUR winner.

WHAT:

Fox News - The 2026 John Deere Classic is taking place at TPC Deere Run.

Fox News - Koivun has made the cut in eight of his 10 PGA TOUR events.

Fox News - Koivun earned his status through the PGA TOUR University’s accelerated program.

Fox News - Bridgeman finished T11 at the RBC Canadian Open and T39 at the U.S. Open in his last two starts.

Fox News - McCarthy finished T11 in last year's John Deere Classic and has a history of strong finishes in previous years.

Fox News - Grillo finished T20 at the RBC Canadian Open and T23 at the U.S. Open in his last two outings.

WHERE:

Fox News - The John Deere Classic is located in Silvis, Illinois, at TPC Deere Run.

WHEN:

Fox News - The 154th Open Championship is scheduled to take place in England in two weeks.

Fox News - The John Deere Classic is occurring in 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - Many top players are skipping the John Deere Classic to prepare for upcoming tournaments overseas.

HOW:

Fox News - Koivun gained strokes with his driver in five starts and has gained strokes with the putter in eight straight tournaments.

Fox News - Bridgeman ranks second in Strokes Gained: Putting on TOUR this year.

Fox News - McCarthy has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy and putting in six of his seven John Deere Classics.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 15:55 UTC)

The 2026 John Deere Classic is currently underway at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, featuring golfers like Jackson Koivun, who is making his debut as a full-time PGA TOUR pro, and Jacob Bridgeman, who recently won The Genesis Invitational. Denny McCarthy has a strong course history, finishing T11 in last year's event, while Emiliano Grillo and Bridgeman are looking to improve on their recent performances. With many top players opting out to prepare for upcoming tournaments overseas, the competition remains fierce as the 154th Open Championship approaches in just two weeks.