Impressive lineup for John Deere Classic
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2003 John Deere Classic | Preview | 10 Sep 2003
The John Deere Classic has gathered one of its best ever fields this week with players such as Davis Love III, Vijay Singh and Greg Norman gracing the fairways of the TPC at Deere Run for the first time in many years.
Played at the D.A. Weibring designed 7183 yard, par 71 layout in Silvis, Illinois, some two hours hours west of Chicago, the event was for many years known as the Quad Cities Open. In 1999, it became the John Deere Classic and moved a year later to its current venue.
Defending champion is JP Hayes, who created a tournament record last year when he won by four shots over Robert Gamez. Other winners at the TPC at Deere Run have been David Gossett and Michael Clarke.
Greg Norman is playing mainly as a consideration to his loyal caddie Tony Navarro, who is from the Quad Cities area. Despite a bad back Norman has played well when he has been able to tee it up this year.
Other leading players in the field aside from Love and Singh are Fred Funk, Tim Herron, Justin Leonard and recent winner Kirk Triplett. Triplett has played well here in recent years as has Briny Baird who is in good form right now.
The Australasians other than Norman are, Steve Allan, John Senden, Paul Gow, Greg Chalmers, Mathew Goggin, Steve Alker, Gavin Coles, Scott Laycock and Anthony Painter.
