The John Deere Classic is 16 days away and Media Day at TPC Deere Run was held to remind the community that Davis Thompson will return for his title defense July 3-6.
It also served as an opportunity for a major announcement as Deere & Company will continue one of the PGA TOUR’s longest-running title sponsorships into the next decade.
“The John Deere Classic continues to be a powerful expression of who we are as a company – deeply connected to our customers, committed to our hometown communities, and proud of our people,” said John C. May, Chairman and CEO of Deere & Company. “Year after year, hundreds of John Deere employees and retirees generously volunteer their time to help create a top-tier experience for players and fans. This event not only strengthens our global relationships but also delivers lasting impact right here in our hometown. We’re excited to extend our partnership with the PGA TOUR and build on this legacy through 2030.”
Since the tournament’s humble beginnings in 1971, the tournament has helped raise more than $189 million for charity, 99 percent of which has been generated since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1999.
“Over the years, John Deere and the PGA TOUR have fostered a remarkable relationship focused on shared values, community impact and a commitment to excellence in the sport that we all love,” added Mara Downing, Vice President of Brand Management and Corporate Communications, Deere and Company. “Our new four-year extension reaffirms John Deere’s commitment to the greater Quad Cities community, the countless golf fans who join us each year to witness the magic of the John Deere Classic and the passionate volunteers whose efforts make the event truly exceptional.”
It’s been hosted since 2000 on TPC Deere Run, just a few miles from John Deere’s world headquarters. The course was constructed specifically to host the John Deere Classic, and each of its 18 holes is named after seminal moments in the community’s history.
“I’m continually impressed by the passionate fan support the Quad Cities community shows for the John Deere Classic year after year – a true reflection of the pride and commitment Deere & Company brings to both its hometown and title event,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan.
A recent study by the John Deere Classic estimated the impact of the tournament is approximately $70 million annually to the Quad City area economy. This estimate includes money spent on travel, food and lodging by visitors, the purchase of goods and services to support the tournament, and other purchases that would happen if the tournament did not exist.
Last summer Thompson fired a final-round 7-under par 64 to win by four shots to claim his first career TOUR victory while setting a new tournament record at 28-under.
“My results the past few months have not been great, but I feel like I’m doing the right things, feel like I’m working on the right things. I’ve hit some good shots these past few tournaments that have not turned out great, and I think when you’re playing well, you kind of get some good breaks and you kind of make a few more putts, and that’s kind of what I’m missing right now,” Thompson said. “I know it can flip at any moment. I have confidence that I can compete week in and week out. Right now, I feel like I’m doing all the right stuff, it just needs to click and it needs to get going again like it did last summer, and hopefully I can go play solid at the U.S. Open and get some confidence going into this final stretch on the PGA TOUR.”
The 2025 John Deere begins Thursday, July 3, and will be broadcast on CBS/Paramount+, GOLF Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+, Sirius XM and distributed internationally via the TOUR’s World Feed.
The multi-year extension announced this week includes a continuance of John Deere’s global Official Marketing Partner program, as Deere retains its designation as Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the PGA TOUR, Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the TPC Network, Official Utility Vehicle of the PGA TOUR, Official Mower of the PGA TOUR, Official Tractor of the PGA TOUR and Official Golf Course Equipment Leasing Company of the PGA TOUR.