Paulie's Picks: 2025 John Deere Classic

The PGA Tour heads across the Midwest to the Quad Cities for the John Deere Classic, held once again at TPC Deere Run. This event features extremely low scoring with a winning total likely near 25 under on this par-71 layout. In 2024, 16 players finished at 20 under or better! So what does it take to contend at Deere Run? A player needs to keep it in play off the tee, be above average with their wedges, and putt lights out. So it comes as no surprise that we have seen the same players fare well here every year in the past. The extreme correlation of putting to results in this event opens up the door for the best putters on Tour to contend this week. Let’s take a look at three of the best putters in the field to target this week:

Denny McCarthy: Top 20, +160

Denny McCarthy is widely known as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour. This arguably is one of the best courses on Tour for him. In addition to his putting prowess, he keeps it in play off the tee and is above average with short irons and wedges. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he has finished seventh or better in each of the last three years of this event. He already has eight top-20 finishes this season, many of which came in stronger fields and on courses that didn’t suit him as well. I absolutely love McCarthy to finish top 20 at a price of +160 this week.

J.T. Poston: Top 20, +165

J.T. Poston is almost identical to McCarthy in terms of skill set. When this turns into a putting contest again this year, I want a putter like Poston in my corner. He has finished 30th, sixth, and first in the last three years of this event. He is a very consistent player who excels in low-scoring events, especially against weaker competition like this week. Look for Poston to linger on the leaderboard and have a solid chance to cash a top 20 wager at +165.

Zach Johnson: Make the Cut, -125

This event means the world to Zach Johnson, having grown up in nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When was the last time Johnson missed the cut at the John Deere? How about 2007! He has played well in spots this year, including finishing eighth at the Masters. Every year, it seems like books can’t price him correctly for this event. At a price of -125, I’m betting on Zach Johnson to make the cut this week.