The John Deere Classic tees off this week at TPC Deere Run.
This is a look at the best first-round leader bets to make for the event on DraftKings Sportsbook.
John Deere Classic: First Round Leader Picks
The John Deere Classic is being played at TPC Deere Run. TPC Deere Run is a par 71 golf course and ranges 7,258 yards. TPC Deere Run is one of the easiest golf courses on the PGA Tour schedule, and the winner has finished at -21 or better in five of the past six tournaments. The John Deere Classic is a full-field event, which will have a standard cut after 36 holes. There is not a great field at this week’s event, but that presents a good chance for somebody to get their first win on the PGA Tour or for some struggling players to gain some confidence. Ben Griffin is the favorite to win the event at DraftKings Sportsbook, and players such as Jason Day, Sungjae Im and J.T. Poston will look to challenge for the win as well.
Michael Thorbjornsen FRL (+4500)
Michael Thorbjornsen is my best bet to lead after the first round. He had a great week in Detroit at the Rocket Classic, finishing just one stroke behind the three players who made the playoff. In these events with weaker fields, the 23-year-old has started to make a name for himself. He has finished T4 or better in three of his past six events, finishing T2 in Puntacana, T4 at the Zurich Classic and T4 in Detroit. Thorbjornsen has also been strong in opening rounds this season, ranking 19th on the PGA Tour in first-round scoring average while shooting under 70 in six straight opening rounds, including a 65 at last week’s Rocket Classic.
He is a bomber, ranking second on the PGA Tour in total driving this season. On a course as attackable as this, Thorbjornsen’s driver should give him the chance to go extremely low if he can sink a few putts. The greens aren’t very challenging at TPC Deere Run, and since that is what has largely held him back in his career, he should have a great shot this week. Having finished T2 at the John Deere Classic last year, he will be seeking another great performance in 2025.
Luke Clanton FRL (+5000)
Luke Clanton is another exciting young player seeking his first win. Clanton is incredibly inexperienced on the PGA Tour, playing in just 16 career events. That being said, his best career finish was last year at the John Deere Classic. He was one of the players tied with Thorbjornsen for second place in 2024. The 21-year-old American has been up and down this season but is capable of putting on a show at a course like TPC Deere Run. He shot an opening round of 63 in this tournament last season and has the game to replicate a round like that again this year.
Clanton can hit the ball a long way and has tremendous ball-striking ability. He can hit greens and get the ball tight to the hole on a course like this. Just like Thorbjornsen, his putter has been his biggest hindrance. However, he should be able to get himself into short putting range on most holes on this course and if he can roll some in, he has a great chance to lead after the first round.
