The John Deere Classic is a bit of a punching bag on TOUR. It lacks star power due to where it lands on the schedule, but what makes it great is we know what we will get out of the course every year. We always see a birdiefest, which often sets up for someone to come from behind with a really low score to win — and that is exactly what happened this past week.
Sepp Straka had everyone on 59 watch as he came down the stretch and took control of the tournament by five shots when he teed off on his final hole of the day. Unfortunately, the allure of that 59 almost cost him the tournament; he splashed his approach into the green-side pond, but 21-under ended up holding for his second career victory.
Now, the focus moves across the pond with the Genesis Scottish Open. Added to the fold last year, this tournament will attract a very strong field in the week prior to the final major.
I am all for more links golf as it sets up for a particular style of play, and that experience can often trump many of the other statistical categories we usually target. Considering the wind and weather factors that can wreak havoc on tee times, it makes for one of my favorite tournaments to bet every summer.
I'll be looking for a mix of links experience and good form as I dive into my first looks. Right now, the weather looks benign enough for the opening two rounds to go ahead and fire off some plays pending good numbers at open, but that can change in a hurry in Scotland.
I'll be keeping an eye on the weather as we get closer to tournament play and may adjust if an edge opens.
First Look
Tommy Fleetwood
The struggles to win on the PGA Tour continue for Tommy Fleetwood, but it certainly isn't for a lack of good play and opportunity.
He most recently lost the RBC Canadian Open in a playoff and posted a top-five finish at the U.S. Open. There may be no player more excited to play across the pond than Fleetwood. He loves links-style golf and has a great history at this tournament, with two top-four finishes in his past three appearances.
I expect Fleetwood to be one of the popular picks, so I'll be looking to jump early on Monday with the hopes that we find a book with a loose number.
Tyrrell Hatton
It seems like I've had Tyrrell Hatton in this column quite a bit this year, but that's for good reason — he's just been very consistent.
Hatton has six top-10 finishes to his name this year — with just one missed cut — and his 27th-place finish at the U.S. Open was his worst since April. He struggled around the greens at LACC but was otherwise strong in the other aspects of his game. He now gets to play closer to home, and he's thrived playing links golf in his career.
The Englishman has three top-11 finishes at The Open Championship and has notably contended at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship throughout his career. That experience sets him up well for the Scottish Open, even though he hasn't been at his best in this particular event in recent years.
I am looking past that, given that he's playing some of the best and most consistent golf of his career. I expect we will get a decent number because of the strength at the top of the field, which should push him down toward the lower end of the top tier.
Min Woo Lee
Looking for longshots, Min Woo Lee was a name that jumped out even before I remembered he won this tournament in 2021.
He has flashed near the top of leaderboards at some of the biggest events this year, most notably at The Players Championship and then again at the U.S. Open, where he finished in the top five. The Australian followed up that finish with a top 10 at the Travelers. After typing all of this, I'm starting to realize he may not be a sneaky pick.
Still, this is a field where his number will only rise so much with so many stars teeing it up. I am hopeful we can find a book that lets him slip into a viable value range.
