Leaderboard: Cameron Smith wins Sony Open

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Citing ongoing local and state-related challenges related to gathering restrictions, the John Deere Classic, title sponsor John Deere and the PGA TOUR announced today that the 2020 tournament, scheduled for July 9-12, has been canceled. It is set to return to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2021 with its 50th playing. As a result of this decision, the PGA TOUR announced that it will fill the week vacated by the John Deere Classic with a new tournament. The TOUR will provide details in the near future on the venue and location. “Because of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 John Deere Classic,� said tournament director Clair Peterson. “While we considered several alternatives for the Classic, this was the choice that made the most sense for our guests, the players and the Quad City community at large.� “We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020,� said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer. “As we’ve seen through the years, the community support for the John Deere Classic is unwavering and I have no doubt the event will return stronger than ever in its 50th playing in 2021.� Despite the cancellation, the John Deere Classic will continue its Birdies for Charity fundraiser for 2020. Last year, $13.8 million was generated in support of 543 local and regional charity organizations, bringing the tournament’s all-time total to $120 million since the first playing in 1971. Ninety-nine percent of that has come since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998. This year’s John Deere Classic would have been the Quad Cities’ 50th PGA TOUR event and the 21st played at TPC Deere Run. Dylan Frittelli is the defending champion.

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Lightning in the area will prevent the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans from being completed on Thursday. Play in the Fourballs first-round format was suspended at 10:41 a.m. ET due to heavy rains and lightning. Tournament officials were hoping to resume play in the early afternoon but more lightning and rain in the forecast pushed back those plans. Play isn’t expected to resume until at least 5:30 p.m ET, if at all. Half of the 80-man teams have started their first rounds, with just two teams having completed as many as 10 holes. Even if play resumes in the late afternoon, it’s doubtful teams with afternoon tee times will even begin their rounds. Sunset is at 8:34 p.m ET. “We’re going to play as much golf as we can today and finish up what we have to tomorrow,� said PGA TOUR rules official Gary Young of the first round. “Hopefully not into Saturday. But I think we’ll have enough time to get it done by tomorrow.� The team of Joel Dahmen-Brandon Harkins had the lead at 6-under through nine holes when play was suspended. Once the first round is completed, teams will then switch to the Foursomes format for the second round. With less shots being struck, the pace of play will speed up. After the cut to 35 teams and ties, the third round will revert back to Four-balls, then Foursomes again for the final round. Young doesn’t anticipate many adjustments in course set-up due to the weather. “You can be a little bit more aggressive with the set-up of the golf course certainly on this Four-ball format, and then when we get to the Foursomes where it’s alternate shot, maybe not as aggressive,� Young said. The sand-capped fairways at TPC Louisiana allow for adequate drainage, leaving the bunkers as the big issue to get the course in playing shape. “The biggest challenge we have ahead of us are the bunkers on the golf course,� Young said. “They’re pretty much full of water right now.�

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HOW IT WORKS: Our experts from PGATOUR.COM make their predictions for the Presidents Cup this week at Liberty National. The experts make their predictions for the winning score, man of the match, and a comment for their reasoning. Tweet your picks @PGATOUR!

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