Power Rankings: John Deere Classic

Comin’ in confident! Needs a two-way T76 to qualify for Special Temporary Membership but his sights (and outcomes) have been stronger. Fresh off a T4 in Detroit where he finished third in distance of all drives and first in par-3 scoring.

Hung up a T7 as a PGA TOUR rookie in 2018 but this is just his third appearance. Of course, he’s much more refined as a touring professional today but it was only in his last start at LACC where he got off a relative schneid with a T20.

Arguably seamless transition from Texas Tech to the PGA TOUR for the valedictorian of PGA TOUR University. As a pro, he’s gone T25-T24-T40 all the while displaying power and precision from tee to green that’s honed like a veteran.

Since he started reheating at Quail Hollow two months ago, he’s 6-for-7 with a T9 (Travelers) among four top 25s. Also perfect in two tries at TPC Deere Run with a T16 last year. Inside the top 25 on the PGA TOUR in GIR and proximity.

Doesn’t present converging trends in the purest sense but he did win the Deere just two years ago and he’s fresh off a season-best T4 in Detroit two starts after a T20 in Canada. Still lacing it tee to green but the putter is hot upon arrival.

The author of one in the litany of phenomenal recent stories is just 3-for-7 at TPC Deere Run and without a top 25. He also missed the cut at the U.S. Open, but there’s been more than enough positive energy contributing to his cause.

The 34-year-old continues to glide just under the radar with but one top 10 in 2023, but it was last week in Detroit (T9) and it’s his latest of five top 25 in four months. Sits 16th on TOUR in greens hit and first in total par breakers.

Open-qualified here in 2021 but missed the cut. He’s been a force since February this season to lead all PGA TOUR rookies in the FedExCup and just won the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational in Pittsburgh. Ranks 17th in adjusted scoring.

Doused his mini-skid with an emphatic T4 in Detroit where he co-led after each of the first two rounds and paced the field in Strokes Gained: Putting (on the strength of 12 conversions outside 10 feet). T24 as a PGA TOUR rookie here last year.

You’d expect the Indiana native to be comfortable in these climes as he climbs. On cue, he placed T7 in Ohio a month ago and rose for a solo seventh in Michigan last week. He’s also recorded a T6 (2019) and a T4 (2021) in the Quad Cities.

The former fixture at the Deere returns for the first time since 2018 when he finished T23. Three top 25s in six trips. Now he’s fresh off a T14 at Detroit GC where he was vintage from tee to green. He’s bunched his best in consecutive starts.

Debuted with a T2 last year. He led the field in GIR and putting inside 10 feet (66-for-68). This time around, he’s just a few weeks removed from his return to victory at Colonial to punctuate a torrid stretch. T15 at Travelers in last start.

If only there was a security guard to tackle Rickie Fowler on Sunday… The Canuck was aiming to end his own drought, so it’s his turn to turn mettle into gold. Sank all 59 chances from eight feet and in, 28 of which from outside three feet.

Not enough space on the Internet to justify the expectation, but… Solo second in 2019 and a T11 in 2021; scoring average of 66.875 in those eight rounds. Eight top 20s in last nine starts. Tops on TOUR in fairways hit; 10th in proximity.

It’s a rarity when a non-winner on the PGA TOUR occupies this slot, but he deserves it. In last three starts, he went P2-T20-T7 and has nine top 20s in last 15 starts. Ranks 14th in adjusted scoring. Contended last year and finished T6.