For many years the John Deere Classic was always known as the tournament that took place one week before the British Open. Now it is in an earlier time slot in the month of July and two weeks before the final major of the 2026 golf calendar. Here are the three golfers we believe have a chance to win the 2026 John Deere Classic from TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Ben Griffin
The world number 16 from Chapel Hill, North Carolina is still looking for his first win in 2026 after winning three times in 2025. Griffin needs to be considered this week for what he has done lately. In his last seven starts, he has finished in the top 17 on five occasions. In that time, Griffin’s best results were third place finishes at the Cadillac Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge.
Tom Kim
The world number 66 from Seoul, South Korea has a shockingly low world ranking when you hear his name regularly week-to-week. However, he is coming off a third place finish at the United States Open and does very well in the strokes gained statistic according to Bryce Danielson of rotowire.com.
Emiliano Grillo
The native of Resistencia, Argentina has finished in second place twice in the last four years at the John Deere Classic. Grillo was at -18 and was three strokes back of J.T. Poston of Hickory, North Carolina in 2022, and then lost to Brian Campbell of Newport Beach, California, in a playoff last year.
