PGA: 2006 John Deere Classic Preview

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By Jeff Gladchun via TheSandTrap.com

Once again, Michelle Wie will attempt to qualify to make the cut in a PGA event. This will hopefully provide some excitement throughout the week(end?).

What a birthday present. This week, Sean O'Hair will turn 24, but it may be his 23rd birthday he will be thinking about this week. The young man earned the respect of the field and gallery last year by putting together what he called the best round of his life on Sunday to win the 2005 John Deere Classic.



Robert Damron, who finished in a tie for second place just one shot behind O'Hair, quashed any murmurs about O'Hair's longevity on tour by saying "this guy is going to be around for a while." Although O'Hair currently ranks 100th on the money in 2006, the brilliance he displayed last year is likely to surface again soon.



However, much of the spotlight this week will be shining on Michelle Wie, as the youngster will once again try to make the cut in a PGA Tour event.

Last Year
After firing rounds of 66, 69, and 68 in the first three rounds, O'Hair found himself five shots back of leader J.L. Lewis. Aided by the fact he gathered only a single bogey in his last 60 holes of play, the young gun found himself on the eighteenth tee with a chance to seal a solid score. O'Hair's tee shot found the right rough and he smartly laid up short of the green-guarding water hazard with a six iron. He left some work to do with his chip, which came to rest a sturdy ten feet away from the cup. Then he made the curling ten footer.



Now it was a waiting game. The third-round leader Lewis was quickly taken out of the picture with a three-putt on the 17th and a wet shot on 18. The victory was Sean O'Hair's. Sean's stats for the week were very impressive: 59 of 72 greens hit in regulation (82%), third in driving distance at 317.4 yards, 62 for 71 on putts 10 feet or less (87%), and -11 on the par fives.



The Course
The TPC at Deere Run measures a hefty 7,193 yards and plays to a par of 71. The course tends to favor guys who can bomb it, as evidenced by O'Hair's driving distance average of 317.4 yards and the simple fact that Hank Kuenhe, who hits the ball out of the yard but didn't keep his card last year, was in contention. Most of the par fours are over 400 yards, with the exception of the first, sixth, and fourteenth which measure 395, 367, and 361 yards respectively. The course has only three par fives, all of which are pretty long, favoring the long hitters.



Who's Hot
Daniel Chopra had a great look at last week's Cialis Western Open, leading after the third round. It was a shame he couldn't seal the deal, as he has had a pretty solid year. Look for him to perform pretty well this week.



Camilo Villegas really isn't hot, but I'm gonna give him the nod for a couple of reasons. Reason One, I like him. Reason two, he hits the ball a mile so if he's playing well he has a good chance, especially since most of the big names aren't present.



Who's Not
Sean O'Hair has really struggled this year. As I mentioned above, he's currently ranked 100th on the money list after finishing 18th last year. Its a shame his game has gone to shambles and hopefully he can find it this week, but I'm not looking for any heroics from the lad.



We get the rare treat of watching Scott Hend play a PGA Tour even this week as the Australian Bomber lost his PGA Tour card last year after finishing 170th on the money list. This guy is Bubba-Long, but won't make any noise this week as his putting is very poorly.



TV Coverage Times
All times eastern (ET), unless otherwise noted.



Thu, July 13 USA 4-6
XM146 12-8
Fri, July 14 USA 4-6
XM146 12-8
Sat, July 15 ABC 2-4
XM146 10-8
Sun, July 16 ABC 2-4
XM146 12-8

Photo Credit: © AP.

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