Two Elite College Stars Receive Exemptions to Play in the John Deere Classic
Big Ten Golfer of the Year Jackson Buchanan of Illinois and NCAA Championship runner up Luke Clanton of Florida State have received exemptions to play in this year’s John Deere Classic, July 3-7, at TPC Deere Run.
On June 3 both players made it through sectional qualifying for this week’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst, which begins Thursday.
“We are thrilled to continue the John Deere Classic’s longstanding tradition of identifying top young golfers and giving them the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best,” said John Deere Classic tournament director Andrew Lehman. “With five wins between them this year, both Jackson and Luke have proven themselves to be exceptional players worthy of these highly coveted exemptions.”
In his just-finished sophomore year, Clanton, 20, made Seminole history by finishing second in individual stroke play at the NCAA Championship and winning three consecutive tournaments last season. In the team segment of the NCAAs, FSU made it to the match play finals. So far in his college career, Clanton has six wins and 19 top 10 finishes. He was named to the All-ACC team this year and is ranked 6th in the World Amateur Golf Rankins (WAGR).
Buchanan, 22, was named Big Ten Golfer of the Year after winning twice, at the Purdue Fall Invitational and the Duck Invitational, and finishing runner up at the Big Ten Championship. The Dacula, Georgia native played in all 13 Illini events and posted an impressive 70.90 stroke average. He was named a third team All-America by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Both players expressed appreciation.
“I’ve watched the John Deere Classic on TV for many years and am excited to see how I can work my way around the course,” Buchanan said. “To be able to play a PGA Tour event in Illinois is even more special and I hope to see some Illini people out there.”
Said Clanton, “I’d like to thank John Deere and the tournament committee for the opportunity to compete in this year’s John Deere Classic. A long list of outstanding players have launched their careers here, and I hope to be next on that list. I can’t wait to tee it up.”
Since the year 2000, the John Deere Classic has awarded exemptions to such future major champions as Lucas Glover, Zach Johnson, Jason Day, Wyndham Clark, Webb Simpson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Other PGA Tour winners who received exemptions include Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar, Nick Watney, Camilo Villegas, Nick Hardy and Viktor Hovland.
The 53rd edition of the Quad Cities-based PGA Tour event will be conducted July 3-7 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis with Sepp Straka as defending champion. The tournament will offer an $8 million purse.
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, Illinois. Since its founding in 1971, the tournament has helped raise more than $174 million for charity.