2022 John Deere Classic champion J.T. Poston of St. Simons Island, Georgia, hits a drive from the 6th tee during the third round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Steve Davis
“You gotta take the good with the bad,” rationalized Lehman. “I just think he has an affinity for the golf course; just really likes playing here.”
Griffin is still looking for his first victory of the 2026 season, but has three Top 10 finishes and six Top 25s heading into this week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He has made 13 of 17 cuts this season.
He is now the second-highest ranked player in the JDC field – checking in behind No. 11 Chris Gotterup, who is scheduled to defend his Scottish Open championship the week after the JDC.
Other Top 50 players in the field are Rickie Fowler (No. 41) and 2018 champ Michael Kim (No. 50).
As of this week, other past QC winners in the field along with Poston, Thompson, Kim and defending champ Brian Campbell are Lucas Glover (2021), Zach Johnson (2012), and Jonathan Byrd (2007).
Johnson, the Iowa native and former Drake University standout, won last week’s Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines.
There are also two 2026 winners in this year’s local field – Nico Echavarria (Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches) and Brandt Snedeker (ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic).
Players have until the Friday before the tournament to join the 156-man field for the June 29-July 5 event at TPC Deere Run.
Close
Playing in his first PGA tournament on July 21, 1984, Jim Hallet practices before the start of the third round of the Miller High Life Quad-Cities Open.
Artist David Anderson works on his painting of the fifth hole at TPC Deere Run during Sunday’s final round of the John Deere Classic. Anderson has painted the 16th and 18th holes the past two years.
Cliff Kretchman, Jim Clags and Ken Kretchman snag stray balls from the driving in 1986.
A large gallery gathers around the ninth tee and watches the leaders group of Patrick Rodgers, Bryson DeChambeau and Zach Johnson tee off, Saturday, July 15, 2017, during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Fans check out John Deere equipment during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 15, 2017.
Phil Toussaint, of Port Washington, Wi., keeps score in the media center during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 15, 2017.
Zach Johnson reacts after putting on the ninth green during the second round of the John Deere Classic on Friday. Johnson shot a second-round 67 and is three shots off the lead.
Christopher Goad, 3, of Moline, receives instruction from Pinnacle C.C. pro Larry Gilliam on July 14, 1987.
Walking score keeper Gary Hagener of Moline, uses a greenside fan to cool off, Wednesday, July 12, 2017, during the John Deere Classic Pro-Am at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Steve Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers Band throws up his arms after teeing off in the Miller High Life Quad Cities Open Pro-Am on July 18, 1984.
A small gallery walks across the bridge between the fifth and sixth hole, following patrick Rogers, Steve Wheatcroft and Keith Mitchell, Friday, July 13, 2018, during second round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A man looks at the scoreboard in 1987.
Nevie Haverhals, 4, of Peoria lays down to escape the heat and humidity on a cooling chair last year at the Deere Family Zone during the final round of the JDC.
Golf fans circle the first green during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis on Saturday.
People gather to watch golfers at the Miller High Life Quad Cities Open.
Former John Deere Classic champion Jordan Spieth slaps the hands of fans, Saturday, July 11, 2015, as he walks off the 18th green during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished with 10 under 61 to top the leader board with a 17 under par for the tournament.
Roger Hoover of Peoria, IL.
Jake Rogenski, 11, of Moline, Illinois and his grand father Joe Fuller, of Rock Island, Illinois walk past an advertising display during the second round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Friday July 13, 2012.2012.(Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Iowa native Zach Johnson lines up his putt on the fifth green, Friday, July 13, 2012, during second round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. (John Schultz / Quad-City Times)
Davis Thompson acknowleges the crowd with trophy in hand following his win at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at TPC Deere Run, in Silvis, IL.
The eyes of Hattie and Hudson Hayes follow a golfer’s tee shot at the John Deere Classic on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at TPC Deere Run, in Silvis.
Colton McManus, 7, from Milan, shows off his picture with Tiger Woods in the Buick Clubhouse trailer at the John Deere Classic.
A large gallery crosses the bridge on the 15th hole, Thursday, July 9, 2015, as they follow former champion Zach Johnson during the first round at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A family gets their picture taken with a cutout of Jordan Spieth, Thursday, July 9, 2015, near the nineth tee during the first round of John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Zach Johnson tees off for the third round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Scenes from the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Nick Schmidt for the QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Scott Piercy competes during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Former Naval officer Billy Hurley III putts on the 16th green, Saturday, July 14, 2012, during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. (John Schultz / Quad-City Times)
David Lipsky is comforted after missing his putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A young fan reacts as Kurt Kitayama hands him his glove after playing the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Sunday, July 6, in Silvis.
A volunteer keeps the crowd quiet at the 18th round during the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Sunday, July 6, in Silvis.
Spectators watch on during the final round of the John Deere Classic, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Brian Campbell poses with the John Deere Classic trophy, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Playing in his first PGA tournament on July 21, 1984, Jim Hallet practices before the start of the third round of the Miller High Life Quad-Cities Open.
Artist David Anderson works on his painting of the fifth hole at TPC Deere Run during Sunday’s final round of the John Deere Classic. Anderson has painted the 16th and 18th holes the past two years.
Cliff Kretchman, Jim Clags and Ken Kretchman snag stray balls from the driving in 1986.
A large gallery gathers around the ninth tee and watches the leaders group of Patrick Rodgers, Bryson DeChambeau and Zach Johnson tee off, Saturday, July 15, 2017, during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Fans check out John Deere equipment during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 15, 2017.
Phil Toussaint, of Port Washington, Wi., keeps score in the media center during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 15, 2017.
Zach Johnson reacts after putting on the ninth green during the second round of the John Deere Classic on Friday. Johnson shot a second-round 67 and is three shots off the lead.
Christopher Goad, 3, of Moline, receives instruction from Pinnacle C.C. pro Larry Gilliam on July 14, 1987.
Walking score keeper Gary Hagener of Moline, uses a greenside fan to cool off, Wednesday, July 12, 2017, during the John Deere Classic Pro-Am at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Steve Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers Band throws up his arms after teeing off in the Miller High Life Quad Cities Open Pro-Am on July 18, 1984.
A small gallery walks across the bridge between the fifth and sixth hole, following patrick Rogers, Steve Wheatcroft and Keith Mitchell, Friday, July 13, 2018, during second round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A man looks at the scoreboard in 1987.
Nevie Haverhals, 4, of Peoria lays down to escape the heat and humidity on a cooling chair last year at the Deere Family Zone during the final round of the JDC.
Golf fans circle the first green during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis on Saturday.
People gather to watch golfers at the Miller High Life Quad Cities Open.
Former John Deere Classic champion Jordan Spieth slaps the hands of fans, Saturday, July 11, 2015, as he walks off the 18th green during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished with 10 under 61 to top the leader board with a 17 under par for the tournament.
Roger Hoover of Peoria, IL.
Jake Rogenski, 11, of Moline, Illinois and his grand father Joe Fuller, of Rock Island, Illinois walk past an advertising display during the second round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Friday July 13, 2012.2012.(Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Iowa native Zach Johnson lines up his putt on the fifth green, Friday, July 13, 2012, during second round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. (John Schultz / Quad-City Times)
Davis Thompson acknowleges the crowd with trophy in hand following his win at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at TPC Deere Run, in Silvis, IL.
The eyes of Hattie and Hudson Hayes follow a golfer’s tee shot at the John Deere Classic on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at TPC Deere Run, in Silvis.
Colton McManus, 7, from Milan, shows off his picture with Tiger Woods in the Buick Clubhouse trailer at the John Deere Classic.
A large gallery crosses the bridge on the 15th hole, Thursday, July 9, 2015, as they follow former champion Zach Johnson during the first round at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A family gets their picture taken with a cutout of Jordan Spieth, Thursday, July 9, 2015, near the nineth tee during the first round of John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Zach Johnson tees off for the third round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Scenes from the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Nick Schmidt for the QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Scott Piercy competes during the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois Saturday July 14, 2012. (Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES)
Former Naval officer Billy Hurley III putts on the 16th green, Saturday, July 14, 2012, during third round action of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. (John Schultz / Quad-City Times)
David Lipsky is comforted after missing his putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
A young fan reacts as Kurt Kitayama hands him his glove after playing the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Sunday, July 6, in Silvis.
A volunteer keeps the crowd quiet at the 18th round during the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Sunday, July 6, in Silvis.
Spectators watch on during the final round of the John Deere Classic, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Brian Campbell poses with the John Deere Classic trophy, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
Campbell won the tournament in a playoff.
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