How many first-timers have won the John Deere Classic? Full list explored

The John Deere Classic holds the record for producing the most first-time winners on the PGA Tour since 1970. So far, 23 players have won the John Deere Classic as their first victory on the circuit.

Jordan Spieth won his maiden PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic in 2013. He defeated David Hearn and Zach Johnson in a playoff to clinch the trophy, becoming the fourth youngest player to win on the circuit. He went on to win the tournament again in 2015.

Michael Kim also won his maiden PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic, achieving an incredible eight-stroke victory over Bronson Burgoon, Joel Dahmen, Francesco Molinari, and Sam Ryder in 2018. Additionally, South African golfer Dylan Frittelli secured his maiden PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic, defeating Russell Henley by two strokes to win the event in 2019.

Here is the list of some of the first-timers who won the John Deere Classic:

2019: Dylan Frittelli
2018: Michael Kim
2017: Bryson DeChambeau
2014: Brian Harman
2013: Jordan Spieth
2006: John Senden
2005: Sean O'Hair
2004: Mark Hensby
2001: David Gossett
2000: Michael Clark II
1999: JJ Lewis
1997: David Toms
1989: Curt Byrum
1988: Blaine McCallister
1985: Dan Forsman
1982: Payne Stewart
1981: Dave Barr
1980: Scott Hoch
1979: D.A. Welrbing
1977: Mike Morley
1976: John Lister
1975: Roger Maltbie
1973: Sam Adams

The 2024 edition of the PGA Tour event is underway at the TPC Deere Run, and following the third round, nine of the top 11 golfers on the leaderboard are in contention to win their first PGA Tour event this week. Davis Thompson is in the lead with a score of 21-under, followed by Eric Cole and Aaron Rai, who are tied for second place.

Here is the list of the players who are looking for their first PGA Tour win at the 2024 John Deere Classic:

1. Davis Thompson (-21)
T2. Eric Cole (-19)
T2. Aaron Rai
T4. Hayden Springer (-17)
T6. Michael Thorbjornsen (-16)
T6. Luke Clanton (a)
T9. Carson Young (-15)
T9. Sami Valimaki
T9. Rico Hoey

John Deere Classic winners over the years

Here are the winners of the John Deere Classic over the years:

2023: Sepp Straka, 263 (-21)
2022: J. T. Poston, 263 (-21)
2021: Lucas Glover, 265 (-19)
2020*: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Dylan Frittelli, 263 (-21)
2018: Michael Kim, 257 (-27)
2017: Bryson DeChambeau, 266 (-18)
2016: Ryan Moore, 262 (-22)
2015: Jordan Spieth (2), 264 (-20)
2014: Brian Harman, 262 (-22)
2013: Jordan Spieth, 265 (-19)
2012: Zach Johnson, 264 (-20)
2011: Steve Stricker (3), 262 (-22)
2010: Steve Stricker (2), 258 (-26)
2009: Steve Stricker, 264 (-20)
2008: Kenny Perry, 268 (-16)
2007: Jonathan Byrd, 266 (-18)
2006: John Senden, 265 (-19)
2005: Sean O'Hair, 268 (-16)
2004: Mark Hensby, 268 (-16)
2003: Vijay Singh, 268 (-16)
2002: J. P. Hayes, 262 (-22)
2001: David Gossett, 265 (-19)
2000: Michael Clark II, 265 (-19)

The 2024 edition of the tournament will have its final on Sunday, July 7, at TPC Deere Run.

About the author

Ankita Yadav is an NFL and Golf writer at Sportskeeda with over three years of experience in journalism (and counting). She’s previously covered the world of entertainment with OtakuKart and TV Season & Spoilers and worked as an editor at ComingSoon. Her stories have racked up nearly nine million reads, and she’s had the chance to interview top athletes like professional golfer Yuvraj Singh Sandhu.

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Edited by Shirsh