JOHN DEERE CLASSIC
Site: Silvis, Ill.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Course: TPC Deere Run (7,268 yards, par 71).
Purse: $4.6 million. Winner’s share: $828,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.)
Last year: Steve Stricker holed a 25-foot birdie putt from off the 18th green to win the tournament for the third straight year. He shot 66-64-63-69 to finish at 22 under and beat rookie Kyle Stanley by a stroke.
Last week: Rookie Ted Potter Jr. won the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia for his first PGA Tour victory, beating Troy Kelly with a birdie on the third hole of a playoff. Tiger Woods missed the cut.
Notes: The British Open is next week at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. The leading player, not otherwise exempt for the British Open, among the top five and ties will earn a spot. ... The 45-year-old Stricker won the season-opening Tournament of Champions in Hawaii for his 12th tour title and eighth since turning 40. In 2009, Stricker had a 61 in the second round and shot 68-64 in a 36-hole Sunday finish. In 2010, he shot 60-66-62-70 for a two-stroke victory over Paul Goydos. Goydos matched the tour record with a first-round 59.... The True South Classic also is next week in Madison, Miss.
