RECENT CHAMPIONS, BRITISH OPEN-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS TO COMPETE IN 2010 JOHN DEERE CLASSIC
Twenty-three recent PGA TOUR winners and 20 British Open-eligible players are among the players who have committed so far to play in this year's $4.4 million John Deere Classic, July 5-11, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. This year the event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the PGA TOUR's presence in the Quad Cities community.
"The John Deere Classic is delighted to welcome an exceptional group of the world's best players to compete this year at TPC Deere Run and help us celebrate 40 great years of PGA TOUR golf in our community," said John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson. "We are pleased to have an excellent group of recent winners, players who will be competing this year at St. Andrews, and a wonderful group of well-known players our fans have come to know over the years."
Players have until 5 p.m. Friday before the event to commit.
Eight of the recent winners recorded victories in 2010, including John Deere Classic defending champion Steve Stricker (Northern Trust, Los Angeles) last week's TOURwinner Zach Johnson (Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial CC, Ft. Worth), and The Players champion Tim Clark. The other 2010 champions in the field are Cameron Beckman (Mayakoba Golf Classic, Mexico), Jason Bohn (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), Jason Day (HP Byron Nelson, Dallas area), Derek Lamely (Puerto Rico Open), and Ryan Palmer (Sony Open, Hawaii).
British Open-eligible players include past JDC champions Kenny Perry (2008) and John Senden (2007) champion as well as recent British Open qualifiers Bo Van Pelt, who has four top 10 finishes on TOUR this year; Peoria native and former JDC sponsor exemption D.A. Points; Kevin Na, now ranked among the world's top 50 players; rookie Michael Sim of Australia, and past Open champions David Duval (1991) and Galesburg, Ill. native Todd Hamilton (2004). The top-five finisher at the John Deere Classic not otherwise qualified for the British Open also will receive an exemption. Players will travel to Scotland from Quad Cities International Airport via luxury charter on Sunday evening after the conclusion of the tournament.
Also joining the field are 2010 rookie fan favorite Rickie Fowler, two-time runner-up Brian Davis of England, and TOUR veterans Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Paul Goydos, Kevin Streelman, Mark Wilson, Chris DiMarco, and Brad Faxon. Davis Love III;s commitment was announced previously.
Players in the field who have won since last year's John Deere Classic include Nathan Green (RBC Canadian Open), the team of Snedeker and Weekly (ADT Skills Challenge team event), and Troy Matteson (Frys.com Open).
List of Tournament Winners in Past Two Years
Cameron Beckman
Jason Bohn
Daniel Chopra
Tim Clark
Jason Day
Nathan Green
Ryuji Imada
Richard S. Johnson
Zach Johnson
Greg Kraft
Derek Lamely
Davis Love III
Will MacKenzie
Troy Matteson
Parker McLachlin
Ryan Palmer
Pat Perez
Kenny Perry
Steve Stricker
Bo Van Pelt
Johnson Wagner
Boo Weekley
Mark Wilson
List of Committed Players Eligible for 2010 British Open
Jason Bohn
Tim Clark
Glen Day
Jason Dufner
David Duval
Matthew Goggin
Todd Hamilton
Richard S. Johnson
Zach Johnson
George McNeill
Kevin Na
Cameron Percy
Tom Pernice, Jr.
Kenny Perry
Tim Petrovic
D.A. Points
John Senden
Michael Sim
Steve Stricker
Bo Van Pelt
Tickets for the John Deere Classic are available athttp://www.johndeereclassic.com/or by calling 309-762-4653.
The PGA TOUR began its run in the Quad Cities in 1971. John Deere, whose world headquarters is in Moline, Ill., assumed title sponsorship of the tournament in 1998.The tournament moved to TPC Deere Run in 2000.
The tournament helped raise $4.63 million for 500 charities in 2009, ranking it first on the PGA TOUR overall in per capita contributions at $12.26 for each of the 375,000 residents of the Quad City area and fifth overall on the PGA TOUR.
The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinios. Since its founding in 1971, the tournament has helped raise $33.6 million for charity.