3 from the John Deere Classic field to oppose hot favourite Spieth

The John Deere Classic is the final PGA Tour event before The Open Championship, and it’s the man that’ll be aiming for a third straight major of the season at St Andrews who predictably tops the betting.

As he will be for The Open and almost certainly any other tournament he enters until this season concludes, Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth is the favourite to claim the trophy in Wisconsin.

Ladbrokes make the imperious American a 3/1 chance and given his claims – he won here in 2013, came seventh last year and arrives off eight top-fives in last 13 starts including three victories – any spare change found under the sofa may well be funnelled into a wager.

However, this is golf and the margins for error dictate there will always be value lurking further down the field, so, just in case Spieth has an off day (or four), one of these three men may just cash in.

Zach Johnson @ 10/1

Okay, so picking out the second favourite isn’t in the slight bit adventurous, but the former Green Jacket winner has superb TPC Deere Run form in his locker..

Johnson is from neighbouring Iowa and clearly relishes the layout which regularly ranks among the easiest to break par at on the PGA Tour; as well as claiming the 2012 title, he’s only placed out of the top three once in six visits.

ZJ’s game is in fine shape too, where he ranks 16th overall in strokes gained tee to green.

Tony Finau @ 40/1

The Salt Lake City native is like a fly around a bin on a hot day where a breakthrough PGA Tour win is concerned, coming off a tie for 13th at the Greenbrier. Finau has strung together seven consecutive top 25s (two top 10s) and his game stats should sit very well with would-be backers.

TPC Deere Run yielded the most eagles and birdies of any course on the PGA Tour in 2013/14 and Finau ranks 14th in Birdie average and seventh in both driving distance and in going for the green, at 68.36 per cent.

Jerry Kelly @ 66/1

Always good to throw a less-heralded local into the mix for a tournament punting plan and Kelly’s course Intel has very nearly paid dividends here in the past.

The popular Wisconsin native has posted successive top fives in his home state, while the wider picture is half a dozen top 25s in six appearances which warrants respect and investment at such a tasty price.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.