John Deere Classic: How to watch, preview, tee times, more

The PGA Tour is in Silvis, Illinois, for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

Six events—including the Olympics—remain until the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, so this field is fighting for points and jockeying for position among the top 70.

Those playing this week must make plenty of birdies to contend, as this event will be a birdie fest for the third straight week. Winners have surpassed 20-under-par scores multiple times throughout the event’s long history, so expect low numbers.

Michael Kim won this event at 27-under in 2018, which marks the seventh-lowest score in PGA Tour history. He ran away with the title that year and won by eight shots.

While there will be a lot of birdies, this event also produces plenty of drama. Since John Deere took over the sponsorship rights in 1999, extra holes have determined the winner six times—including Jordan Spieth’s two wins in 2013 and 2015.

John Deere Classic Information:

Where: TPC Deere Run Silvis, IL (Par-71, 7,289-yards)

When: July 4-7th

Purse: $8,000,000 ($1,440,000 Winner)

FedEx Cup Points: 500

Defending Champion: Sepp Straka

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

How to Watch the John Deere Classic

Golf Channel and CBS Sports will share television coverage. Check out the full schedule below:

Thursday, July 4: 4-7 p.m. E.T. (Golf Channel)

Friday, July 5: 4-7 p.m. E.T. (Golf Channel)

Saturday, July 6: 1-3 p.m. E.T. (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. E.T. (CBS)

Sunday, July 7: 1-3 p.m. E.T. (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. E.T. (CBS)

How to Stream the John Deere Classic

ESPN+ will exclusively air early round and featured group coverage all four days of the John Deere Classic. Peacock will have simulcasts of the Golf Channel’s broadcast.

Coverage on Peacock can be streamed here.

In addition, fans can tune into CBS Sports streaming service Paramount+ while CBS airs its third and final round broadcasts.

John Deere Classic Preview:

Defending champion Sepp Straka arrives in the Quad Cities with some confidence. He fired off a closing 9-under 62 last year to win by two shots for his second career PGA Tour victory. The former Georgia Bulldog finished T-23 at the Travelers but also has a pair of T-5s at the Charles Schwab Challenge and The Memorial. His form is in a good spot for him to repeat.

However, two-time champion Jordan Spieth is also in the field this week as he looks to find some momentum at a place where he plays well. But he has not had the best season and desperately needs a boost as the final stretch approaches.

Like Straka, Davis Thompson arrives with plenty of momentum. He has a pair of runner-up finishes at the Myrtle Beach Classic and last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. Thompson also turned in an impressive tie for ninth at the U.S. Open. He could very well become the latest first-time winner at TPC Deere Run.

Nick Dunlap, Neal Shipley, Joel Dahmen, and Aaron Rai played well at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. While it will be Dunlap and Shipley’s first start at the John Deere, their inexperience may not matter with how red-hot they are.

This week is about gaining crucial FedEx Cup points as many players look to get inside that Top 70 to play at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.

The John Deere Classic Round 1 Tee Times (E.T.):

*indicates starts on 10th tee
TBA

The John Deere Classic Round 2 Tee Times (E.T.):

*indicates starts on 10th tee
TBA

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for S.B. Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.