Will the magic happen here again? And perhaps on a green – the color of John Deere?
In just over a week, the John Deere Classic (JDC) will return to the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, located on a former horse farm just a few miles from John Deere World Headquarters in Moline. The 2025 tournament comes as John Deere tees up a multi-year extension of its title sponsorship of the Quad Cities PGA Tour event. The newly inked deal extends the company’s commitment another four years through 2030.
Calling the equipment manufacturer the “best title sponsor on the Tour,” JDC Tournament Director Andrew Lehman said “their sponsorship enables the event to improve every year and provides Deere with a way to give back to the Quad Cities community through the Birdies for Charity program.”
According to the tournament, the JDC is expected to hit the $200 million mark in charitable giving this year. Since its 1971 founding, it has raised $189.6 million for local charities including a record $15.97 million last year.
The 2024 JDC champion Davis Thompson, who carded his first PGA Tour win here last July and scored a record -29 under par for the tournament, will be back to defend his title.
In a news release last week, Mr. Lehman said the organization is thrilled with the 2025 lineup. “We have a good mix of players. Veterans who have had a lot of success on Tour as well as a lot of hungry young guys looking to make a name for themselves and take the next step in their careers.”
Tournament leaders said a huge motivator for competitors this year is earning eligibility for the FedExCup Playoffs. Now in its 19th year, this is the first time that only those ranked in the Top 70 are eligible for the playoffs. (Previously, the Top 100 qualified.)
Among the committed players are Rickie Fowler and Max Homa, both multiple U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team members. Pro Luke Clanton, who played last year’s JDC as an amateur, and Tour sophomore Michael Thorbjornsen also are back after being runners up last year in Silvis. Other notable players are former Vanderbilt star and Deere sponsor exemption Gordon Sargent, who recently turned pro, and David Ford, a North Carolina star who also recently turned pro.
Crowd favorite and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native Zach Johnson – who captured the JDC winner’s cup in 2012 – is returning as he has every year since receiving a sponsor exemption in 2002. The 49-year-old also now has Masters and British Open wins to his name.
27-year partnership continues
The tournament will kick off one month after John Deere and the Quad Cities Golf Classic Charitable Foundation announced the tournament’s contract extension with the PGA Tour. The extension also cements John Deere’s various supplier roles with the PGA Tour.
The four-year contract agreement also continues the agriculture, construction and turf equipment manufacturer’s various designations, Mara Downing, John Deere’s vice president of global brand and communications told reporters during JDC Media Day on Monday, June 2. From a business perspective, she said the company will continue the Official Marketing Partner program with the TOUR. John Deere also will retain its designations as Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the PGA TOUR, Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the TPC Network as well as the Tour’s Official Utility Vehicle, Official Mower, Official Tractor and Official Golf Course Equipment Leasing Company.
In fact, she said Deere is the Tour’s second longest-running title sponsor behind only AT&T.
“This exciting milestone is a testament to the strength of our 27-year partnership with the PGA TOUR,” said Ms. Downing, who also is the title sponsor representative. She added that John Deere and the TOUR “have fostered a remarkable relationship focused on shared values, community impact and a commitment to excellence in a sport we all love.”
In addition, the Concerts on the Course also are back for a third consecutive year following JDC tournament play with country music star Dierks Bentley and the Zac Brown Band taking the stage on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
“The Concerts on the Course initiative has helped us make the John Deere Classic even more of a community event than it has always been,” Mr. Lehman said. “People who might not know anything about golf now will come out to Deere Run and see the beauty of this golf course.”
He said the experience might inspire non-golfers to pick up a club. “At a minimum, they have a great appreciation for our community’s most important fundraiser.”
2025 John Deere Classic – IF YOU GO
What: The 54th edition of the Quad Cities-based PGA Tour event.
When: Wednesday, July 2 – Sunday, July 6
Where: TPC at Deere Run, Silvis
Purse: $8.4 million with $1.512 million going to the champion.
Title sponsor: John Deere, Moline, since 1998.
Field: 156 pros, including last year’s champion Davis Thompson, 26.
Concerts on the course: Dierks Bentley performs Saturday, July 5, and Zac Brown Band performs Sunday, July 6. Purchase of a tournament grounds ticket provides admission to both the PGA event and the concert.
Birdies for Charity: The JDC’s charitable arm has raised more than $189.6 million since the tournament began in 1971.
Tickets and more information: Johndeereclassic.com.
SOURCE: John Deere Classic
