Expert Picks: John Deere Classic

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Having celebrated the first decade of the FedExCup last September with Rory McIlroy’s memorable charge to the championship, the PGA TOUR and FedEx Corp. have announced a long-term extension of the shipping giant’s sponsorship of the FedExCup season-long competition on the PGA TOUR. “The FedEx relationship has been invaluable to the PGA TOUR on multiple fronts for more than 30 years, beginning with its sponsorship of the FedEx St. Jude Classic,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The FedExCup revolutionized the fan viewing experience and competitive landscape of the PGA TOUR, establishing a cohesive narrative throughout the schedule and a compelling conclusion to the season with the FedExCup Playoffs.” “We are proud to extend our historic sponsorship of the FedExCup, which has dramatically changed the PGA TOUR,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, Integrated Marketing and Communications for FedEx. “The FedExCup is the ultimate prize on the PGA TOUR, and the season-long competition has delivered some of the most exciting finishes in recent memory.” As part of the sponsorship renewal, FedEx has committed $1 million in annual donations to benefit non-profit organizations. The donations align with FedEx Cares, a global giving initiative, in which FedEx is investing $200 million in over 200 global communities by 2020 to create opportunities and deliver solutions for people around the world. Beyond defining the season champion, the FedExCup has made every tournament more meaningful through the season-long points competition and has created a consistent platform for media partners to tell the PGA TOUR story. The FedExCup Playoffs give fans the opportunity to see golf’s greatest players compete at the highest level in four high-profile events, culminating with the crowning of the FedExCup Champion. Rory McIlroy emerged as the 10th champion with a memorable title run featuring two FedExCup Playoffs victories, capped by a dramatic Sunday finish at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. McIlroy holed out from 137 yards for an eagle-2 on East Lake Golf Club’s 16th hole and then birdied No. 18, forcing a three-way playoff with Ryan Moore and Kevin Chappell. McIlroy finally secured the victory and the FedExCup champion’s title with a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole – appropriately, No. 16. In doing so, McIlroy joined an impressive list of FedExCup Champions: Tiger Woods (2007, 2009), Vijay Singh (2008), Jim Furyk (2010), Bill Haas (2011), Brandt Snedeker (2012), Henrik Stenson (2013), Billy Horschel (2014) and Jordan Spieth (2015). 

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Jhonattan Vegas (+6600) … He’s a two-time winner of the RBC Canadian Open, so no one likely is more eager to return to the Great White North more than the Venezuelan. Until then, he’ll find Congaree to his liking as a long-hitting, tee-to-green specialist. Even better, he’s in form upon arrival with nine paydays in his last 11 starts worldwide. The stretch includes a runner-up finish in Puerto Rico, a T18 at Corales and a T9 at TPC Craig Ranch. In other words, he’s capitalized on the moments when most of the notables have rested. Scott Stallings (+6600) … Like his fellow three-time PGA TOUR winner, Vegas, who is just seven months his senior, the 36-year-old Stallings does his work from tee to green and he’s streaky. Although safely positioned at 106th in the FedExCup, he also always figures out a way to retain his card even when his back seems to be against the wall. As it concerns the here and now, since joining forces with Brice Garnett for a T11 in New Orleans, Stallings is 5-for-5. The highlight was a T3 at TPC Craig Ranch. Currently 41st in greens hit and fourth in scrambling. Hank Lebioda (+10000) … The first of two Florida State University products included here, the 27-year-old lefty often looks good but he continues to battle inconsistency enough to flail just outside the bubble of qualifying for the FedExCup Playoffs (currently 140th). However, he’s gone for a pair of top 20s in his last three starts with a T17 at the AT&T Byron Nelson as the most recent. Ranks 29th on TOUR in greens hit, sixth in proximity, sixth in scrambling and T31 in par-5 scoring. Perhaps the unfamiliarity of the greens at Congaree will lift his relative value elsewhere on the course just as it did at TPC Craig Ranch in his last start. Bronson Burgoon (+8000) … Like the guys featured above, he also recorded a solid finish at TPC Craig Ranch. A T13 matched his season-best just two starts prior at Copperhead. In accordance with the theme, the 34-year-old figures out a way to keep at least a shred of status while doing his work with his longest sticks because he constantly throws enough against the wall, er, hits enough greens in regulation to keep the performance centers lit for a putter that too often has stage fright. John Pak (+12500) … Get used to the name. The eight-time winner at Florida State was the “valedictorian” of the first graduating class at PGA TOUR University. He’s making his professional debut at Congaree following a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championship. The 22-year-old cleaned up on all of the annual awards reserved for top collegians and he’s a two-time Walker Cup winner. In his only prior appearance in PGA TOUR-sanctioned competition, he placed T51 at the U.S. Open in September. Odds were sourced on Tuesday, June 8 at 5 a.m. ET. For live odds visit betmgm. NOTE: Sleeper is a relative term, so Rob uses unofficial criteria to determine who qualifies. Each of the following usually is determined to be ineligible for this weekly staple: Winners of the tournament on the current host course; winners in the same season; recent major champions; top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking; recent participants of team competitions.

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