🏌🏻The Rise Of Akshay Bhatia

Good morning! The John Deere Classic takes center stage this week on the PGA Tour. While the tournament offers a healthy purse of $8 million, it has already seen multiple withdrawals.

Last week’s winner, Cameron Davis, has pulled out and so has Taylor Montgomery. World No 8 Patrick Cantlay has also withdrawn from the tournament - he hasn’t specified a reason yet.

Today’s Trivia: Who's the defending champion of the John Deere Classic?  Answer at the end of the email.

⛳ This day in history: American legend Walter Hagen won the Western Open on this date in 1932 at Canterbury Golf Club near Cleveland. It was his fifth and final Western victory, coming 16 years after he won it the first time. He shot one-under-par 287 to win by one stroke over Olin Dutra.

NEXT ON THE TEE
Tournaments This Week

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic

📍 When and Where: July 4-7, TPC Deere Run
💰 Purse: $8 million
🏌🏻 Headliners: Jordan Spieth, Sepp Straka, Jason Day, Sungjae Im

DP World Tour: BMW International Open

📍When and Where: June 27-30, Golfclub München Eichenried
💰 Purse: $2.5 million
🏌🏻 Headliners: Bernhard Langer, Thriston Lawrence, Yannik Paul

ALBATROSS
Spieth Returns To John Deere As Favorite

Jordan Spieth, a two-time winner at the John Deere, returns to TPC Deere Run - the site of his first Tour win. He is set to play at the John Deere Classic for the first time since 2015.

He has won the John Deere Classic twice, in 2013 and 2015, but nothing says he cannot make it a third time this year - especially since the best player in the field, Patrick Cantlay, withdrew.

But his form hasn't been the best. Spieth ranks 78th on tour in strokes gained around the green and 80th in putting - a surprising figure given how good he was with his flat stick when he was at the height of his powers.

Spieth also has to improve his ball striking. He is 110th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approaching the green, 70th in greens in regulation percentage, and 86th in proximity to the hole.

📌 Who are the other Challengers? Sepp Straka aims to become the first repeat winner at the John Deere since Steve Stricker won three in a row from 2009-11. Straka has three top-five finishes this season.

Jason Day returns to TPC Deere Run for the first time since 2011. Day has never missed the cut at the John Deere in five appearances, with a best finish of T-15.

Sungjae Im, eager for another spot on the International Team at the Presidents Cup, is back at TPC Deere Run for the first time since 2021. Im has five top-10s this season and made the cut in both of his previous John Deere Classic starts.

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TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
This Is Why Aaron Rai Uses Iron Covers

While driver and fairway wood covers are a common sight among most golfers, PGA Tour star Aaron Rai uses a piece of equipment that many of his rivals do not - iron covers. Rai has six professional wins, including one Rolex Series victory at the 2020 Scottish Open and has enjoyed an impressively consistent couple of seasons at the top but is yet to win on the PGA Tour in 84 starts.

For the entirety of his stint as a professional, and for years before that, the Englishman - who also wears two gloves out on the course - has turned up every week with protection for his irons. The simple reason for his choice is because he wants to "appreciate the value" of what he has and ensure he never forgets where he came from.

Rai's first set of Titleist 690 MBs which his father bought him when he was just seven years old were his pride and joy.

🎯 These Irons Keep Winning On The PGA Tour: Many pros use iron models long after their initial release, and the Titleist 620CBs remain popular on the PGA Tour. Cameron Davis recently won the Rocket Mortgage Classic using these irons, shooting a final round two-under-par to claim his second career win at the event.

Wyndham Clark has been using these irons since 2022. Another notable player, Brian Harman, had a significant 2023 with the Titleist 620CB irons, winning the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. Harman has used these irons since 2021.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news 

PGA Tour: Patrick Cantlay has withdrawn from the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. He has been replaced by Russell Knox.

US Senior Open: LIV Golf's Richard Bland wins the US Senior Open in a playoff to claim back-to-back majors.

New CEO: The R&A has tabbed rugby club CEO Mark Darbon as its new chief executive and secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Korn Ferry Tour: Max McGreevy made a clutch birdie to win Korn Ferry Tour's (KFT) Memorial Health Championship and earned his 2025 PGA Tour card.

LPGA Tour: The Dana Open announced that Friday’s tournament round on July 19th will be dedicated to Lexi Thompson, who recently announced her retirement from playing full time on the LPGA Tour at the end of the 2024 season.

BIRDIE
The Rise Of Akshay Bhatia

Akshay Bhatia's rising stardom is apparent even as closing struggles remain an obstacle to victories. Turning pro out of high school, Bhatia's career trajectory has been even better than expected.

🚀 Bhatia has enjoyed a superb campaign so far, racking up 11 top-25s from his 20 starts and improving on the previous week's result in each of his past six appearances.

🚀 Bhatia has made a stroke improvement in each of the last two years, which is remarkable. Should that somehow continue next season, Bhatia will be at the same level as McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.

🚀 Bhatia's putting has been well above average on the PGA Tour this season (30th in Strokes Gained:Putting) and he is constantly improving.

🚀 Bhatia is somebody who, even at 22, has proven he can win. He did so at the Texas Open this year and the Barracuda Championship last year.

While his performances speak for themselves, he has also got a very calm head on his shoulders. After a heart-breaking three-put on the 72nd hole at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, he didn't shy away from questions and admitted that he's only human.

He will next be seen in action at Royal Troon for the Open Championship (July 18-21).

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DRIVING RANGE
Stop Shanking the Ball

In today's video, we discuss how to stop shanking the golf ball, focusing on a specific drill designed to improve your game.

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