John Deere betting preview

By Dave Tindall Last updated: 7th July 2010

An excellent winner at Sawgrass, Tim Clark can strike again by capturing this week's John Deere Classic, says Dave Tindall.

Some weeks on the US Tour, it pays to play things simple and not get twisted in knots trying to pick out a fancy winner.

And that appears the case in this week's John Deere Classic in Illinois.

The last two runnings of this pre-Open event have been won by Kenny Perry and Steve Stricker and both share some common traits.

Firstly, there was an element of justification about them playing in the event. Perry had controversially snubbed the following week's Open Championship and was trying to show that playing in the States was the best way for him to assure himself of a Ryder Cup spot in his native Kentucky. Stricker was also trying to show that winning a US Tour event would be more of an ideal build-up than, say, going to Ireland and honing his game on links courses.

Secondly, they were both in excellent form. Perry had won two of his last four tournaments while Stricker was coming off a win just three starts earlier.

Thirdly, both had course form at TPC Deere Run.

So, with the notion that golf tipping doesn't have to be rocket science, let's get on board Zach Johnson and Tim Clark.

Johnson finished tied second last year so ticks the course form box and having won in Texas just four starts ago he's obviously playing well too (backed up by a tied 12th at St Jude recently).

Seven Tour wins in seven seasons, kick-started by his BellSouth Classic victory in 2004, is hugely impressive and he would love to add this title to his collection.

"This is kind of my fifth major," he said last year. "John Deere and the tournament and staff here gave me two sponsor's exemptions when I had no status, and now I'm on the board of the tournament."

Johnson is a general 18/1 and given his record of crossing the finishing line in front we can go 'win only'.

Clark made the big breakthrough when landing the Players Championship recently - not a bad event to make your first US Tour win.

Also a runner-up at the Bob Hope Classic and a solid tied 12th in the US Open at Pebble Beach on his last outing, it would come as no surprise if the South African quickly adds a second trophy.

Stats-wise he's third in Driving Accuracy and 4th in Putting Average and having won at Sawgrass with 16-under and finished second at the Bob Hope with 29-under, he is always a good man to be on when the birdies are flying.

As for course form, he has that too. Clark shot 17-under when second here on debut in 2007 and was 18th on his last appearence two years ago after moving into contention with a third round 64.

Clark was told by his peers before coming to TPC Deere Run that the course would suit him and that definitley appears to be the case.

As his win record isn't in the same league as Johnson's we'll go each-way but, as stated, a victory is a very real possibility.

For a bit of extra each-way value, let's try a couple of 50/1 shots.

Charlie Wi finished fourth in the AT&T National last week which built upon his tied 21st at the Travelers Championship.

The Korean-born 38-year-old has produced a second place in each of the last three seasons so he's knocking at the door and, as we've seen, this has been a good year for first-time winners.

Wi's case strengthens when you spot the tied fourth place here in 2008 when not really in the greatest of form.

At the same price, Carl Pettersson looks a live runner.

The Swede's form figures read 22-28-34-6, that latest figure coming after rounds of 67-72-65-71 in last week's AT&T National.

Pettersson is ranked third in Putting Average this year and he topped the Putting stats when fifth at this venue in 2007.

He also has a 15th to his name so TPC Deere Run looks a good venue for the three-time Tour winner to continue his good form.

Tips:

3pts win Zach Johnson at 18/1 (General). Runner-up last year, recent winner and holds this event in high regard.

2pts e.w. Tim Clark at 20/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Excellent winner at Sawgrass and can score quick follow-up on course that suits.

1pt e.w. Charlie Wi at 50/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Current form and course form suggests the 50/1 is a fair price on the Korean.

1pt e.w. Carl Pettersson at 50/1 (Ladbrokes 1/4 1,2,3,4,5). Running into form (6th last week) and has done well here before. Knows how to win.