The PGA Tour is rolling into Silvis, Illinois for one of the most fan-friendly tournaments of the year — the 2025 John Deere Classic. And yeah, it’s landing right in time for the Fourth of July weekend. Fireworks? Check. Midwest hospitality? You bet. Low scores? Oh, you better believe it.

While some of the big names are catching their breath before heading across the pond for the Scottish Open and The Open Championship, Deere Run is all set to shine the spotlight on golf’s next breakout star.

Who’s Playing?

Don’t expect the usual top-5 headliners this week — they’re probably packing for Europe. But that’s exactly what makes the Deere Classic special. It’s a launchpad. A place where unknowns suddenly become household names.

Take 20-year-old Aldrich Potgieter — the South African bomber who just grabbed his first PGA Tour win in Detroit. Now he’s got a chance to go back-to-back and make history at TPC Deere Run.

Other big names in the field include Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Si Woo Kim, Sungjae Im, and Ben Griffin, who’s had a hot streak this season.

According to Caesars Sportsbook, Ben Griffin (14-1) leads the odds, followed by Jason Day (22-1) and Denny McCarthy (25-1). Not bad for a field that’s wide open.

“It’s the kind of week where someone can go 62-63 and run away with it. It happens here more than you think.”
— local golf coach, Silvis area

Course Vibes: TPC Deere Run

TPC Deere Run is built for scoring. Long hitters love it. Short game wizards thrive on it. And fans? They just love being close to the action. It’s one of those rare PGA stops where you can see six birdies in an hour and still have time for a pork chop sandwich.

With soft conditions and wide fairways, don’t be surprised to see someone flirt with a 59 out there. Yeah, it’s been done before.

TV & Streaming Schedule

Here’s how to catch all the action this weekend:

Thursday – Round 1

• Tee times start: 7:45 a.m.
• PGA Tour Live: 7:45 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Golf Channel: 4 – 7 p.m.
• Radio: 1 – 7 p.m.

Friday – Round 2

• Same schedule as Thursday

Saturday – Round 3

• Tee times: 8 a.m.
• PGA Tour Live: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Golf Channel: 1 – 3 p.m.
• CBS / Paramount+: 3 – 6 p.m.
• Radio: 1 – 6 p.m.

Sunday – Final Round

• Tee times: 8 a.m.
• PGA Tour Live: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Golf Channel: 1 – 3 p.m.
• CBS / Paramount+: 3 – 6 p.m.
• Radio: 1 – 6 p.m.

“It’s the best week of the year for Silvis. Golf, fireworks, and a shot at history.”
— John D., local Deere fan

Why It Still Matters

Sure, it ain’t Augusta. And it’s not Pebble. But John Deere Classic has something a lot of those big-ticket stops don’t — heart. This is where rookies dream big, where the crowd is close, and where some guy ranked 98th in the FedEx Cup can walk away a champ.

And let’s not forget the John Deere tractor ride that takes golfers to the first tee. That’s just plain awesome.

Final Thoughts

This weekend isn’t just about golf. It’s about tradition, family, and discovering the next big thing. The John Deere Classic may not have Tiger or Rory, but it always delivers something better — a good story.

And who knows, maybe Aldrich Potgieter’s run continues. Or maybe some college kid Monday-qualified and goes nuclear. It’s the John Deere Classic. Anything can happen.

“If you’re a fan of the game, Silvis in July is where you wanna be.”
— Longtime fan, Quad Cities