John Deere Classic

[Bamford]

The John Deere Classic is one of the leading birdie-fests on the PGA Tour. A weak field the week before the Open Championship is always assured, and sure enough weird and whacky names contend year-in, year-out at this tournament. However in DeChambeau, Moore, Spieth (x2), Harman, Zach Johnson, Stricker (x3) and Perry, quality has won this tournament going all the way back to 2008. It seems one of the shorter prices, who has recent Top 10 finishes will always eventually win-out here at a tournament where -19 will be the minimum required. So I'm keeping it simple with 4 players who arrive in Silvis, Illinois  in half decent nick. The can hit the ball close with wedge in-hand, are useful on par-3s and par-4s and sit within the top 55 for Birdie Average - that's good for this depth of field. All are streaky scorers, who have a history in -up-state North America locations. They also have course experience, which rules out Molinari and Niemann for me of the very short prices.

Kyle Stanley (28/1), Chesson Hadley (33/1), Chris Kirk (50/1) and Chez Reavie (80/1)