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The John Deere is not one of the leading PGA Tour events, probably because it occurs so close to the British Open. The big names are missing with David Toms a notable exception and so he is the Illinois 7/1 favourite.

In fact perversely the focus of attention this week will be on 15-year-old, Michelle Wie, who has been invited to play with her male counterparts and whose main goal will be to get to the weekend. Stan James bookmakers have a number of markets on her this week. Stan James bookmakers bet 7/2 that she will make the cut and 1/6 that she won’t, so you can see the extent of the task ahead of her. But she is very strong for her age and hits the ball a mile. She has played on the PGA Tour before and she has not seemed overawed at all. I certainly wouldn’t put it past her. The full list of bets are as follows:
Michelle Wie to win The John Deere 600/1
Michelle Wie to finish in the Top 5 150/1
Michelle Wie to finish in the Top 10 50/1
Michelle Wie to finish in the Top 20 16/1
Michelle Wie to Make the Cut 7/2
Michelle Wie Not to Make the Cut 1/6

For the first two days at least, the coverage will include a fair bit of Michelle Wie, but the relative weakness of the field will encourage a lot of the field to put in big displays this week. Players with good records here include Kirk Triplett (33-1), Jeff Sluman ( 50-1), J L Lewis (66-1) and in with a real shout Briny Baird at 80-1. His price of 6/1 for a top ten finish could be great value. Last years winner was Mark Hensby and it is interesting that he plays well one in Illinois and lately, in and around the Majors. At 20/1 some would say he’s a short price, but he does have a live chance this week. Stewart Cink is second favourite at 12-1 but his record here is not impressive.

The John Deere Classic is one of these events that is very difficult to call. It always has this wide open feel to it. It might be better to enjoy Wie’s bid to make the cut, then get involved in picking the winner at the weekend when the field has thinned out a bit.

If it’s any help there has been some early money for a couple of players. Paul Stankowski (200-1), Brendan Jones (150-1) and Matt Gogel (100-1) have all been nibbled at and they all have played well here in the past.