John Deere Classic Betting Tips: Three players to back at TPC Deere Run

After going agonisingly close once again, with Scottie Scheffler missing a short putt that ultimately handed Viktor Hovland victory in a Monday playoff at the Travelers Championship, GolfMagic Editor and resident betting expert Andy Roberts heads to the John Deere Classic looking to bounce back in style.

With the PGA Tour travelling to TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, this week's tournament presents an excellent opportunity for players to claim a valuable victory in what is a significantly weaker field than we've seen over recent weeks.

Ben Griffin headlines the field, with Chris Gotterup and Keith Mitchell narrowly behind him in the betting market. 

Fan favourites Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth are also in the field as the American duo look to re-ignite their PGA Tour careers ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open and Open Championship. 

Of the above names, Andy has included one of them in his three picks at the John Deere Classic. Scroll down to check out Andy's selections... 

John Deere Classic 2026: Betting Tips

Pick 1: Ben Griffin

Best Odds: 16/1

Ben Griffin looks like a player building towards a fourth PGA Tour victory.

The 30-year-old American has quietly put together an excellent run of form, recording five top-20 finishes over the last two months, including two third-place finishes at the Cadillac Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge. His consistency has been impressive, and it feels like it's only a matter of time before he gets back into the winner's circle.

Griffin's recent John Deere Classic record is mixed. He impressed with a tie for fifth here in 2024 before missing the cut 12 months later, but I'm much more inclined to focus on that excellent debut performance since it showed his game is perfectly suited to TPC Deere Run when he's on song. 

This tournament is traditionally a birdie-fest, meaning approach play and putting are usually the two areas that separate the contenders from the rest. 

Driving accuracy of course helps but it's not quite as important at TPC Deere Run given the generous fairways and relatively forgiving rough, making strong iron play and a hot putter the key ingredients for success.

Fortunately, those are two areas where Griffin has been performing well throughout the season. He currently ranks eighth in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and sits 25th in Strokes Gained: Putting. Those numbers might not leap off the page, but they're more than strong enough for a course like this.

Griffin arrives fresh from another encouraging spell, following a tied 17th at the U.S. Open with a tied 10th at last week's Travelers Championship. He's trending in the right direction and, in a field lacking many of the PGA Tour's biggest names, this could represent his best opportunity to claim another title this season.

Another positive is his excellent record at Colonial. Players who perform well there often enjoy success at TPC Deere Run, and Griffin's victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge last year only strengthens that angle.

At best odds of 16/1, the world number 16 looks the standout outright bet this week.

Pick 2: Jackson Koivun

Best Odds: 25/1

If you're not already familiar with Jackson Koivun, you soon will be.

The world's best amateur now makes his professional PGA Tour debut this week after an extraordinary collegiate career, and remarkably he already finds himself among the favourites in the betting. That tells you everything you need to know about the level of expectation surrounding the 21-year-old American. 

Koivun signed off his amateur career at the U.S. Open earlier this month before officially turning professional and accepting the PGA Tour membership he earned through PGA Tour University Accelerated.

He shared low amateur honours at the U.S. Open after finishing tied 23rd, further reinforcing why so many believe he's one of the brightest young talents in world golf.

What's particularly impressive is how comfortable he's already looked against PGA Tour fields. Despite still being an amateur until recently, he has not finished worse than tied 23rd in his last five PGA Tour appearances. 

Last season he announced himself with a tied 11th finish at the John Deere Classic before producing finishes of tied sixth, tied fifth and tied fourth at the ISCO Championship, Wyndham Championship and Procore Championship respectively. Those results suggest he already has the game to compete at the highest level.

Only Marty Fleckman and Ben Crenshaw have won their first PGA Tour start as professionals, so history is certainly against Koivun. But if anyone has the talent to threaten that remarkable feat, it could be him.

Some punters may feel 25/1 is on the short side for a player making his professional debut. Personally, having watched his rapid rise over the past year, I think it could look a very generous price by Sunday evening.

This feels like the ideal tournament to begin his professional career, with a weaker-than-usual field giving one of golf's brightest prospects a genuine opportunity to make an immediate statement.

Pick 3: Emiliano Grillo

Best Odds: 70/1

If you're looking for a bigger-priced each-way play, Emiliano Grillo stands out.

The 33-year-old Argentine has developed an excellent record around TPC Deere Run, finishing runner-up in 2022 before losing in a playoff here last season.

Although he missed the cut in between those two performances, there's no doubting this is a venue that suits his eye.

Course form counts for plenty at the John Deere Classic, and Grillo has repeatedly shown he's capable of contending on this layout.

There are also encouraging signs in his recent performances. Speaking to Golf Channel a few weeks ago, Grillo said he feels he's playing some of his best golf in the past 12 months, and his recent results suggest there is substance behind those comments.

He arrives after finishes of tied 20th at the RBC Canadian Open and tied 28th at the U.S. Open. In truth, both results could easily have been stronger. A disappointing third round in Canada stalled his momentum, while a closing 75 at the U.S. Open prevented an even better finish.

Despite those frustrations, the overall trend remains positive.

Grillo is already a two-time PGA Tour winner, with his latest victory coming at the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge. As mentioned with Griffin, that course correlation catches the eye, as players who thrive at Colonial have often gone on to enjoy success at TPC Deere Run.

At best odds of 70/1, Grillo offers outstanding each-way value. Given his excellent record on this course and encouraging recent form, he looks more than capable of contending once again.

As always please gamble responsibly. Scroll down to check out all the pre-tournament prices...