Golf News Net: John Deere Classic fantasy golf picks, betting tips

Rather than prep for St. Andrews in Scotland this weekend, Speith will spend it in the Quad Cities playing the John Deere Classic-site of his first win as a pro two years ago. Both of them are in the field this week, as is 2013 champion Jordan Spieth, who looks to fine-tune his game heading into the third leg of his Grand Slam quest.

This year, Spieth played the week before the Masters Tournament and took a week off between the Memorial Tournament and the USA Open, and he didn’t lose his touch either time.

He’s also just very comfortable playing the TPC Deere Run, one of the easiest courses on the tour. I probably wouldn’t be here.

Spieth says he’ll have plenty of rest and energy for the British Open.

“I’m here because I believe I can win this week”, he added. “I believe it’s advantageous for me to try and win this week”.

While the injury appears to have delayed a showdown of Spieth and McIlroy in top form, world number two Spieth wants McIlroy at his best as he tries to move past him into the top of the rankings heap – one event at a time. He says his performance in the Quad Cities will have no bearing on his performance next week in Scotland. Kisner lost in his third playoff of the year last week, but continues to be one of the most consistent players on tour.

Spieth then outlasted David Hearn and local favorite Zach Johnson to become the first teenager to win on the tour in 84 years. He’s been close the last few weeks, but he still needs a real high finish to land his first berth in the Open Championship next week at St. Andrews and he showed he’s not afraid of the big stage when he tied for 14th in the USA Open at Chambers Bay, where he was making his first major appearance.

“I committed to this event well ahead of time, never really crossed my mind to drop out”, said Jordan Spieth at the John Deere Classic. When I get over there, whether I play well or I don’t play well, it has nothing to do with what I did the week before. I’ve certainly played solid enough to be No. 1 in the world a lot of different years.

“I don’t change much in my life other than a couple things you obviously are a little more cautious of”, Spieth said of mixing fun with avoiding injury.

Last year’s victor, Brian Harman, and Kevin Kisner should also push Spieth.

As far as his reaction to all the attention he’s received after winning the first two majors of the season, he’s trying to keep the blinders on and go about his business.

Streb is fresh off an adventurous back nine in which he was forced to putt with his wedge on the back nine after “accidentally” breaking his putter in the final round of The Greenbrier Classic. Strick has claimed three of his 12 PGA Tour victories in this tournament, in consecutive years from 2009-2011. “I just want to get in contention here”, he said about what he expects from this week.