🏌🏻Grand Surprise Awaits Rory

Good morning! Round 1 of the John Deere Classic is in progress - you can watch all the action live on Golf Channel and Peacock.

For all tournament updates and latest news, check out our Youtube channel.

Fun Fact: Who was the last American to win the John Deere Classic? Answer at the end of the email.

⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1947, Irishman Fred Daly won the Open at Royal Liverpool, one shot ahead of American amateur Frank Stranahan and England’s Reg Horne.

19th Hole
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ALBATROSS
This Is Why Rory and Scottie Skipped John Deere

The John Deere Classic tees off today at TPC Deere Run but both Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will be absent from the field. The top two golfers in the world are currently fine-tuning their schedules ahead of The Open, each for distinct reasons.

⛳️ McIlroy is still licking his wounds after a gut-wrenching defeat at the US Open, where a trio of late bogeys handed Bryson DeChambeau the major on a silver platter. The Classic falls within the three-week break the Northern Irishman vowed to take following his US Open heartache.

With the Open now less than a fortnight away, the John Deere Classic would appear to be an ideal warm-up to regain some form and pocket a cool $1.44m in prize money but Rory is focused on strengthening his defense for the Genesis Scottish Open. The tournament tees off at The Renaissance Club on July 11 - a week ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

⛳️ Scheffler won't be hitting the greens in Illinois as he has become more selective about the tournaments he participates in. Despite being eligible, the world no 1 has chosen to take a fortnight off following his victory in the Travelers Championship before jetting off to Europe.

Like McIlroy, he will compete in the Genesis Scottish Open before heading to Royal Troon for the Open Championship, which he is bidding to win for the very first time. He will also be teeing off at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer, joining Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark on the course.

⏳Surprise Awaits Rory: When Rory McIlroy gets to the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, he’ll find a pleasant surprise on the 18th hole, a plaque honoring his remarkable 2-iron from 202 yards into a 40-mph wind to 11 feet to set up the winning birdie in 2023. The plaque was just added on Monday.

It was one of the golf shots of the year and in his own words: "When I turn 80, it will be one of the five best shots I hit in my entire career."

Perhaps the plaque and a return to the site of last year’s glory at the Scottish Open will provide a spark that McIlroy can carry into the British Open, to be held just a few hours away at Royal Troon.

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Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Spieth Returns To His Second Home

Jordan Spieth is back at the John Deere Classic, where he'll be the star of the show while at the same time searching for his old form. Spieth made history in 2013 by winning the John Deere as a 19-year-old before winning it again in 2015.

Spieth comes to the par-71, 7,289-yard TPC Deere Run a mere 59th place in the FedEx Cup standings, amid a stretch of poor results. Starting with the Masters in mid-April, he missed three of nine cuts and finished no better than T29.

But in his own words, "this is like his second home" and he hopes that the tournament will mark the beginning of a positive run for him.

📌Straka Underdog? Defending champion Sepp Straka considers himself an 'underdog' heading into the tournament. What's more important for Straka is his position in the FedExCup standings, where he currently sits in 17th - top 30 golfers will qualify for the Tour Championship, and Straka is eager to be one of them.

Straka is yet to register a win on the Tour this season and he would like to change that at one of his favorite courses - TPC Deere Run.

🔄Day's Throwback: Jason Day is returning to TPC Deere Run, where, in 2006, he made his first start as an 18-year-old professional. He’d only recently married his wife of now 18 years, Ellie.

He can afford to stay in any luxury hotel now but back then he stayed at a Super 8 hotel which had dogs entering rooms, AC units falling out of the walls and something he remembers vividly - the curtain fell off as soon as he entered his room.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

New Venture: T-Squared Social, the sports bar and entertainment center co-founded by Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake, will open its second location in St. Andrews.

World Record: Omar Ghaffar has set a new World Record for most indoor golf simulator holes played in a 24-hour period. He completed 702 holes in 22 hours and 19 minutes, eclipsing the previous record of 666.

Final Appearance: Bernhard Langer, the most succesful male German golfer of all time, is playing in the BMW International Open in Munich for the last time this week. This event marks his 513th and final start on the DP World Tour.

Hull Withdraws: English star Charley Hull has been forced to withdraw from the Aramco Team Series London at Centurion Club early on the first morning. She pulled out on medical grounds after consultation with a physiotherapist mid-way through her round.

BIRDIE
These Are The Best Golfers Yet To Win A Major

The Open Championship is just two weeks away and it's the last opportunity for the players to bag a Major this year. As the attention of the golfing world shifts to Royal Troon, we take a look at the best active golfers who are yet to win a Major.

🏌‍♀Viktor Hovland: Hovland just 26 but has six professional wins globally. Renowned for his iron play, his short game has been a challenge, with his best major finish as runner-up at the 2023 PGA Championship. He'll be gunning for his maiden Major title at Royal Troon.

🏌‍♀Ludvig Aberg: Aberg, a rising talent, has made a significant impact despite limited major experience. He contributed to Team Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup win before debuting in majors in 2024. His swift rise and skills indicate a major title is imminent.

🏌‍♀Max Homa: Homa has quickly risen up the ranks, winning six PGA Tour titles. Initially struggling in majors, he broke that jinx by putting up a good show at the 2023 Masters. With growing confidence and experience, Homa seems ready to compete for his first major title.

🏌‍♀Patrick Cantlay: Cantlay's well-rounded game and calm demeanor make him a consistent PGA Tour performer. He won the 2021 FedEx Cup and nearly captured the 2019 Masters, leading briefly before Tiger Woods overtook him. His steady play suggests a major title is likely soon.

🏌‍♀Will Zalatoris: Zalatoris is only 27 but has seven top-10 major finishes, including a close playoff loss to Justin Thomas at the 2022 PGA Championship. His ball-striking and composure make him a strong contender for a major title soon.

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DRIVING RANGE
Drills to Create A Stable Center

In today's video, we demonstrate standard drills for establishing a stable center in your golf swing.

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