John Deere Classic returns to more familiar time slot

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2004 John Deere Classic | Preview | 07 Jul 2004

With a date more in keeping with its usual time slot of mid-July, the John Deere Classic faces the issue of coming the week immediately prior to the British Open. It has often been the key concern for the tournament organisers here although last year, with a September date, they were able to attract players like Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman.

Even this year however, they have attracted several British Open candidates in Singh, Nick Price, Frank Lickliter, Stewart Cink, Shigeki Maruyama and Steve Lowery amongst those entered at this stage with Lickliter and Lowery both getting late British Open exemptions following the Cialis Western Open.

Played at the D.A. Weibring designed 7183 yard, par 71 TPC at Deere Run 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.

Vijay Singh as the number three player in the world and the defending champion is the logical favourite. His win last year was by four over J.L. Lewis, Jonathan Byrd and Chris Riley. Although he is not playing to quite the same level of late as earlier in the year, he is the class act of the field and should be thereabouts on Sunday.

Nick Price is playing solidly is not spectacularly of late and although he has not played at this venue he is, like Singh, one of the leading players in the game and his last start 27th at the US Open was not all bad.

Shigeki Maruyama was 11th last week and played brilliantly at the US Open for fourth. He missed the cut in his only appearance here last year but he is in good form right now and could make amends.

Chris DiMarco has been solid in his last two starts for 9th at the Buick Classic and the US Open. He has not played here but is well placed to record his first win in more than two years.

Steve Lowery, if he starts, has the credentials to do well, the only concern being that he may well have thoughts on next week in what will be just his second British Open appearance. If he can put that aside, at least for the week, he should contend. He made a great run at Ames last week in Chicago, eventually finishing runner up and was 32nd at the US Open. He has had several good finishes here including a fifth in 2000.

Stewart Cink is a much better player than his last two missed cuts would suggest. It is perhaps surprising that he is here, as he has not played the course before. He also has a start at the British Open.

Jeff Maggert’s third place finish at the US Open again highlighted just what an underestimated player he is. That is perhaps as much to do with his demeanour as his game. He was 25th in his only start at this venue last year and although at times inconsistent this year, he is one of the more in form players in the field.

Jay Haas has not played at this venue previously but his current form, including a 9th at the US Open and 8th at the Memorial, suggests he may well handle this lot with a good week. He is looking to play his way on to the Ryder Cup team and this presents another good opportunity for him.

Loren Roberts is playing well enough to feature in an event such as this. He has had top twenties in his last four starts. He has played just the once at this venue when 53rd last year.

Scott Hoch’s form has been a little inconsistent of late and he has not played here, but his 11th place last week was an indication of perhaps improving form.

Of the Australasians here this week, Geoff Ogilvy stands out perhaps as the one most likely to contend. Yet to win a tournament anywhere in his six year professional career, there have been many runner up placings and his good finish last week at the Western Open followed eight cuts made in his previous nine starts. Ogilvy has not played here previously but he has developed an improved level of consistency this year which must surely be rewarded with a win soon.

Mark Hensby, following his third place last week in Chicago, is not far behind. After a good start to the season he lost his way for a few weeks but is back now it would seem. Hensby has played just the once here but was forced to withdraw at that time.

Greg Chalmers, Scott Hend, John Senden, Andre Stolz, Grant Waite and Brad Heaven are also in the field. Heaven played his first event as a professional two weeks ago on the European Challenge Tour and finished mid-field. The University of Toledo graduate finished second to Terry Price at this year’s New Zealand Open and much is expected of this talented New Zealander.

The event carries prize-money of US$3.8 million.