2023 John Deere Classic: PGA First-Round Leader Odds, Picks & Predictions

With only two weeks in between this week’s John Deere Classic and the year’s final major, the majority of the top golfers in the world have started to make their way overseas to prepare for the links-style challenge of The Open Championship. That opens the door for many of the young, rising stars to shine this week in Silvis, Illinois. With just one of the top-20 ranked golfers in the world slated to tee it up Thursday, The John Deere Classic is a perfect opportunity for those on the Tour Championship playoff bubble to gain some valuable FedEx Cup points.

TPC Deere Run will host the tournament for the 23rd straight year (excluding 2020 when it was canceled due to COVID). Unlike last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, golfers will face significant elevation changes, and have to play more of a strategic round of golf to make their way around the 7,289-yard track. The longer hitters will have to dial it down a bit, and get out of their comfort zone if they want to have success here. With that in mind, we’ll be focusing on strong iron play and putting to decide who to back. Let’s get to the selections.

• 2023 John Deere Classic: Best Longshot Bets
• More Golf Betting Advice
• Golf Best Betting Odds
• Golf Betting Strategy

2023 John Deere Classic First-Round Leader Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Adam Schenk (45-1)

Redemption is the name of the game for Schenk this week. The Midwest native withdrew from this tournament a year ago after a disastrous opening round 78. In the two years prior, he had finished T4 and T6. The Purdue alum got it going last week with a 7th-place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Schenk will look to build on that momentum here. The 31-year-old is 38th in SG: Total this season and 41st in SG: Putting. Schenk posted a 64 in the second round here in 2021 and opened with 67 twice. We’re riding the hot hand here and backing Schenk to post the lowest number in the first round.

Ludvig Aberg (35-1)

Speaking of hot hands, remember the name Ludvig Aberg. The Swedish sensation, by way of Texas Tech and the PGA Tour University, turned pro less than a month ago. In three starts since then, the 23-year-old has two top-25 finishes and a T40. It’s only a matter of time before Aberg notches his first tour victory. The phenom hit every fairway in last week’s opening round on his way to posting a 65. He may just do it again and you don’t want to be on the outside looking in if he does. Back Aberg to be atop the leaderboard Thursday evening.

Patrick Rodgers (55-1)

Another Midwest native, Rodgers seems to like TPC Deere Run. In the last five tournaments here, The 31-year-old has posted a 64, two opening round 65s, and made the weekend in all five years. The Stanford alum opened with a 66 last week so he’s shown that he is in decent form. Rodgers is 35th in SG: Total and 52nd in SG: Putting this season. The comfort of Midwest golf and the penchant to go low on Thursdays is enough to feel good about backing him to lead after the first round.