The John Deere Classic hits the schedule this week, and while it is rarely the strongest field on the calendar, the event has a history of spotlighting emerging talent.
The weaker fields typically stem from their position in the schedule rather than any reflection on the tournament itself.
It’s a platform that has helped launch some impressive careers. Davis Thompson claimed victory last year, while past winners also include Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth.
And low scores are almost a given – since 2014, just twice has the winner finished worse than 20-under par.
Still, the field this year is far from packed with top names. And one player who had brought some star power has now pulled out.
Davis Riley pulls out of John Deere Classic with Austin Cook stepping in
Though Davis Riley has three top-10 finishes in 2025, including a runner-up showing at the PGA Championship, he’s also missed seven cuts and struggled for consistency.
He likely saw this week as an ideal chance to build some momentum, but the withdrawal means he’ll have to wait. With several big events coming up, the timing is far from ideal.
Riley had also made headlines earlier this season for calling a two-shot penalty on himself at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, after realising he’d used a rangefinder with the slope function turned on.
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Replacing him in the field is Austin Cook, who gets a late call-up despite a tough run of form.
Now 34, Cook hasn’t managed to recapture that form since. He’s made just three starts this season, missing two cuts, and has played only 20 PGA Tour events since the start of 2024, missing the cut in 16 of them.
His unexpected spot earned at the John Deere Classic could be a golden chance to reignite his career.
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