The John Deere Classic is one of the warm-up events for the Open Championship and Steve Stricker looks a good bet to win his third title.
This week's test in the US will be far removed from the challenge faced at next week's Open. If history is any guide, the birdies will be plentiful. It's certainly a strange way for defending Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen to warm up for his defence.
Steve Stricker 8.8 is on a hat-trick at the John Deere and I really like his chances of making history with his third victory here in three years.
Stricker comes into the event in fantastic form, he was 19th last time out (at the US Open) and posted a fine victory at the Memorial before that. While many of his peers are in Europe preparing for the year's third Major, the wily American can make hay in what is becoming his own personal benefit.
Our man has an early tee time on Thursday and can make his presence felt on the leaderboard early on. He may not have the skills required to win the Open, but winning John Deere Classics is shelling peas for the putting machine that is Steve Stricker.
In 2009, Brian Gay 55.0 hit a purple patch that saw him promoted to golf's top echelons. That year, Gay won two tournaments with the ease that is usually only afforded to Tiger. It's to say the least, disappointing that Gay has not won since 2009, but there is no doubt that he's one of few capable of challenging an in form Stricker this week.
Gay will surely have been dreaming of the Ryder Cup and Major Championships following his stellar 2009 and it's not too late to achieve that. He was 12th here on his last visit in 2008 and 18th the year before that. Despite going winless for a year or two, he's a different player these days and can be backed with confidence.
At Aronimink last week Chris Kirk 80.0 showed himself to be in fine form. A Saturday charge (63) saw him surge up the leaderboard to eventually finish tied 8th and bring back memories of his fantastic early season form. When Kirk finished second to Big Phil at the Shell Houston Open, he showed a maturity that nearly won him a place in the Masters field. I think he has what it takes to win on the main tour and, if he can get off to a good start this week, has every chance.
Dangers: Zach Johnson 20.0 was second here in 2010 and will be a worrying name to see near the top of the leaderboard at the weekend. Previous champion Jonathan Byrd is a very fair 34.0 shot and, finally, I'm not sure a birdie fest will suit but Rickie Fowler's pal Cameron Tringale 250.0 has caught the eye of late and is worth keeping tabs on.
