Earlier this year, Chris Gotterup referred to the John Deere Classic as his “fifth major.” The reason: the event’s former tournament director, Clair Peterson, gave him a sponsor exemption in 2022 when he had just emerged from college with no playing status. Gotterup promptly finished fourth, igniting his career. When the 27-year-old New Jersey native won this year’s Deere on July 5, it was his third victory this season and the fifth of his brief career, all coming since May 2024.
A massive achievement of which U.S. Presidents Cup team captain Brandt Snedeker surely has taken judicial notice. The burly 6-footer, who moved to eighth in Presidents Cup rankings after the win, most likely will be seen striding the fairways of Medinah Country Club this September, looking more like Dick Butkus than a PGA Tour pro.
Gotterup entered his final round at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois five strokes back. He promptly shot a 5-under 30 on the front nine to make himself relevant in the competition and a 4-under 32 on the back for a 9-under 62 to climb into the co-lead with a 20-under total.
Then he waited. The big moment came when Ben Kohles’ second shot from the 18th fairway hit just left of the green and ricocheted into the adjacent lake, missing the nearby John Deere Gator float. Kohles took a drop but missed the par putt that would have forced a playoff.
Meanwhile, on the driving range where he was warming up for said playoff, Gotterup was greeted by CBS interviewer Amanda Balionis, who succeeded in making him cry like Steve Stricker before him. Gotterup’s victory was all the more special because his younger brother Patrick caddied for him and likely will receive some percentage of his brother’s $1.584 million winner’s check.
Also at the Deere, Max Homa, still in game-recovery mode, finished solo second at 19-under par while 2021 champion Lucas Glover finished T-3 with Kohles and Lee Hodges. Arlington Heights native Doug Ghim finished T-6, his best ever at the Deere, and took home $297,000, while Wheaton native Kevin Streelman missed the cut. At age 50, 2012 champion Zach Johnson of nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa, finished T-9 in his 24th consecutive John Deere Classic. Four of five former Illini missed the cut, including defending champion Brian Campbell, Northbrook native Nick Hardy, Adrien Dumont de Chassart and sponsor exemption Ryan Voois. Happily, Michael Feagles prevented an Illini shutout. He got through Monday’s qualifier and finished T-74 at 2-under. Marquette alum and Winnetka native Patrick Adler made his PGA Tour debut after advancing through Monday qualifying; his rounds of 70 and 71 were not enough to make the cut.
The Fourth of July weekend was punctuated by performances by country music megastar Carrie Underwood and contemporary country group Old Dominion. —Barry Cronin