Is Tom Kim…Back? Three Picks for the John Deere Classic

The John Deere Classic. The fifth major. Regardless of what you call it, it should be a fun week in Silvis, Illinois, at TPC Deere Run, especially with a (slightly surprising) strong field.

Two-time champion Jordan Spieth made his return in 2024 after a near decade-long hiatus, and he's joined on the tee sheet by Chris Gotterup, Keegan Bradley, Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, and Tony Finau, among others.

Collegiate superstar Jackson Koivun will make his professional debut at the JDC, where he tied for 11th a year ago.

With plenty of names to choose from, here are three players I like to be right in the mix come Sunday afternoon.

JOHN DEERE: How to Watch, Tee Times

Picks for the John Deere Classic

Tom Kim (30/1)

TK, welcome back, my friend. I can’t remember the last time I picked the South Korean, but this week feels like a great spot for him.

Over his last two starts, he tied for 15th at the RBC Canadian Open and earned bronze at the U.S. Open. In this business, we call that trending. But that’s not the main reason why I think he’ll contend this weekend.

In all three of his PGA TOUR wins, Kim finished the week 20 under or lower. Plus, at the ‘24 Travelers, he lost in a playoff to Scottie Scheffler where the buddies tied at 22 under. He thrives in birdie-fests. Why is this important? The last five champions of the JDC were 18 under or lower. Right in Kim’s wheelhouse.

Johnny Keefer (60/1)

It might surprise you, but players can hit driver pretty much whenever they want around TPC Deere Run. I expect Keefer to do just that. He’s eighth in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 11th in distance. But here’s why I love this spot for him.

Another birdie-fest here, and Keefer is second in greens in regulation and eighth in proximity. Plus, with his distance, he’ll have a lot of wedge opportunities. He’s 16th on TOUR from 50-125 yards. The only thing that gives me pause is the putter. He’s 147th in SG: Putting.

If the flat-stick wakes up, Keefer could get win No. 1.

Max Homa (60/1)

Hand up, this is a heart pick. I want Max to get back to his winning ways, and I’d love to see him get a little revenge after a close call at this event a year ago (he eventually finished T-5).

He enters with back-to-back top-25 finishes—T-22 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, T-20 at the RBC Canadian Open—and is starting to swing it a lot better. C’mon, Max, let’s do this thing.