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2021 John Deere Classic: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Deere Run

By Mike Randleman

SILVIS, IL - JULY 11: A miniature John Deere tractor is used as a tee marker at the 7th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on July 11, 2010 in Silvis, Illinois. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
SILVIS, IL - JULY 11: A miniature John Deere tractor is used as a tee marker at the 7th hole during the final round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on July 11, 2010 in Silvis, Illinois. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images) /
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Jun 20, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Sungjae Im plays his shot from the 15th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Sungjae Im plays his shot from the 15th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Sungjae Im picked up a well-timed high finish last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 23-year-old South Korean fired four rounds in the 60s and finished just three shots out of a playoff in a tie for eighth.

Im hit over 80% of his fairways at Detroit Golf Club, which are similarly as easy to hit as at TPC Deere Run. He was fourth in the field in strokes gained around the green (.893) and 11th in SG off the tee (.559).

For 2020-21, Im is 14th in SG off the tee (.14). His statistical weakness is his short game, but it held up well in Michigan and won’t be tested much this week if he’s up to his usual ball striking tricks.

Last week was his third straight made cut but first top-10 since the Honda Classic. Im has been solid, yet unspectacular in the 2020-21 season. The John Deere Classic could be just the spot to pick up PGA Tour win No. 2.

Im is the second-highest ranked in the field in the OWGR and one of the best ball strikers. It’s a good week to burn him in one-and-done leagues.

Im was in the news last week when it was announced he and Si Woo Kim will be forgoing the Open Championship to prepare for the Olympic Games the week after.

It’s puzzling on the surface, but makes sense when considering an Olympic medal would exempt them from an upcoming mandatory two-year military requirement in South Korea. Only a win at a major would do the same.

These players desperately want to avoid having to leave the game during their primes, and skipping Royal St. George’s might be the right play in the long run.

I expect Im to get his game peaking at the right time with a final tune-up at the John Deere Classic.

Im fired scores of 68-67-67-70 to finish T-26th in his JDC debut in 2019.

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