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The John Deere Classic Predictions - Top contenders for the title at TPC Deere Run
The John Deere Classic features a dynamic field with a mix of emerging stars and seasoned pros, including defending champion Brian Campbell. Top picks for the trophy include Chris Gotterup—already a multiple winner in 2026—rookie Jackson Koivun, the consistent Eric Cole, and in-form debutant Blades Brown. The article highlights each player’s recent results and momentum, pointing to a wide-open contest at TPC Deere Run. Gotterup and Koivun lead the predictions, but any of these four could clinch victory in Illinois this weekend.
- The John Deere Classic takes place between 2-5 July.
- The tournament takes place at TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois.
- Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Eric Cole, and Blades Brown tipped as top contenders.
Expired
Chris Gotterup has had success on the PGA Tour this season (Getty Images)
A mix of emerging stars and seasoned professionals return to TPC Deere Run to compete for the John Deere Classic title this weekend. Who will walk away with the honours in Illinois come Sunday?
Brian Campbell is back to defend his title after a play-off victory over Emilian Grillo in 2025.
Past Major winners in the field include Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth, Lucas Glover, Zach Johnson, and Webb Simpson.
These are our selections that could win the title this weekend.
Chris Gotterup
Chris Gotterup started his season on the PGA Tour in fine form, winning the Sony Open in Hawaii, placing T18 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and winning the WM Phoenix Open before finishing T37 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and missing the cut at the Genesis Invitational.
Gotterup has produced steady performances since those results, placing T18 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T56 at the Players Championship, T6 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, T24 at the Masters, T25 at the RBC Heritage, T14 at the Truist Championship, T10 at the PGA Championship, T27 at the Memorial Tournament, T43 at the U.S. Open, and T30 at the Travelers Championship last weekend.
The four-time PGA Tour winner has made three appearances at the John Deere Classic, finishing T4 in 2022, MC in 2024, and T21 in 2025.
Gotterup has been in great shape this season and can lift the trophy in Illinois come Sunday.
Jackson Koivun
Jackson Koivun compiled an impressive run of results in collegiate golf before turning professional at the recent U.S. Open.
Jackson secured a victory at the Amer Ari Invitational, a victory at the Gators Invitational, a 3rd at the Southern Highlands Collegiate, a victory at the Hayt, a T10 at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational, a victory at the Mason Rudolph Championship, a victory at the Ford Collegiate, a victory at the 2026 SEC Men's Golf Championship Stroke Play, a T10 at the NCAA Athens Regional, and a T10 at the NCAA DI Men's National Championship Stroke Play before finishing T23 at Shinnecock Hills.
The former number-one-ranked amateur golfer placed T11 overall at the John Deere Classic on debut.
Jackson has been in incredible form this year and could emerge victorious in Illinois this weekend.
Eric Cole
Eric Cole struggled with consistency at the beginning of his PGA Tour season, with results of MC at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T27 at the American Express, T27 at the Farmers Insurance Open, MC at the WM Phoenix Open, T37 at the Cognizant Classic, MC at the Puerto Rico Open, T32 at the Players Championship, MC at the Valspar Championship, and T51 at the Texas Children's Houston Open.
Cole found form after those results, placing T14 at the Valero Texas Open, T6 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T6 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, T31 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, 2nd at the Charles Schwab Challenge, and 8th at the Memorial Tournament before missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open and finishing T38 at the Memorial Tournament last weekend.
The American golfer has featured four times at the John Deere Classic, with results of MC in 2021, T42 in 2023, T7 in 2024, and T60 in 2025.
Cole can convert his recent displays into a winning one at TPC Deere Run this weekend.
Blades Brown
Blades Brown had a decent beginning to his season on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour, with results of MC at the Bahamas Golf Classic, T17 at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, T18 at the American Express, T66 at the Panama Championship, T25 at the Astara Golf Championship, and MC at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.
Brown has kicked on since those results, placing 3rd at the Puerto Rico Open, T40 at the Valspar Championship, 3rd at the Club Car Championship, MC at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, 2nd at the Tulum Championship, T26 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T9 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, T16 at the Colonial Life Charity Classic, T14 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, T13 at the UNC Health Championship, T17 at the BMW Charity Pro-Am before finishing T55 at the Memorial Health Championship last weekend.
The 19-year-old will make his debut at the John Deere Classic this weekend.
Brown comes into the tournament on the back of solid results and will fancy his chances of winning the title at TPC Deere Run this weekend.
Verdict
Gotterup has been no stranger to winning this season and will be in the mix at the John Deere Classic come Sunday.
Koivun has been in great touch this year and could cause an upset victory in Illinois come Sunday.
Cole has been knocking hard and can win his maiden PGA Tour title this weekend.
Brown has posted solid results lately and should enter calculations at TPC Deere Run this weekend.
Koivun has been in great touch this year and could cause an upset victory in Illinois come Sunday.
Cole has been knocking hard and can win his maiden PGA Tour title this weekend.
Brown has posted solid results lately and should enter calculations at TPC Deere Run this weekend.
Chris Gotterup
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His love of sport has seen him venture down the road of researching sporting history for the past several years, specifically boxing, cricket and football.
Other sports of particular interest are golf, tennis, horse racing and motorsports.
Additionally, he spends his time researching the military history of his home country of South Africa.
He is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to DJ and release music on occasion.
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