THE AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP this afternoon, with guest host Steve Stricker. Getting closer to the opening of the Preserve, stay tuned in to DuPagegolf.com and this website for details. This course should be on your bucket list. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy AT TPCDeereRun

The John Deere Classic is getting ready to approach the first tee of the TPC Deere Run Golf Course, from July 10-16.

Defending Champion Ryan Moore is expected to be back from the injury that kept him sidelined out of the U.S. Open, to defend his title won last year.

There is more good news coming from John Deere as the field keeps getting stronger every week.

Kevin Kisner a recent winner at Colonial Country Club and Si Woo Kim who won The Players Championship at Sawgrass are early commitments. Past champion Brian Harman winner at Wells Fargo and runner up at the U.S. Open will join the field as well.

DYLAN MEYER defending champion in the Western Amateur and University of Illinois standout, and Ryan Moore 2016 John Deere Classic Champion will be part of the 2016 JDC field.

Two past U.S. Amateur Champions Kelly Kraft from 2011 and Erin Hills, along with 2015 champion Bryson DeChambeau from Olympia Fields will play this year. In the Illinois contingent in addition to Meyer is Steve Stricker, sponsors exemption Nick Hardy now headed into his senior year at Illinois. Alum’s Scott Langley  D.A. Points and Brian Campbell.

Two other playing just moving on from their NCAA days, include Stanford’s Maverick McNealy of Stanford and Wyndham Clark of Oregon.

Some of the past champions at John Deere include, JDC board member Zach Johnson (2012), Jonathon Byrd (2007) and Sean O’Hair (2005).

More recent commitments include Daniel Berger winner at Memphis and Charlie Hoffman who contended at the US Open, and was the winner of the 2016 Valero Texas Open. Some 25 players in the field at Erin Hills for the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, are expected to play in the John Deere Classic.

The new purse that gives the winner $1,000,000 for the first time in tournament history, and a new plane that will take the British Open players over sea’s in style, should continue to bring in more top players as the deadline approaches.

“The John Deere Classic is thrilled to have a great mix of elite veteran players and young players coming to TPC Deere Run to compete on a great golf course in front of tremendous fans,” said tournament director Clair Peterson. More players can commit up until July 7th.

For more information on the John Deere Classic, visit Johndeereclassic.com.