Rickie Fowler Returns to John Deere Classic After 15 Years in Pursuit of FedEx Cup Redemption
Fifteen years ago, a 21-year-old Rickie Fowler arrived at TPC Deere Run as a rising star with boundless potential. Now, at 36, the veteran returns to the John Deere Classic as a two-time father, searching for the form that once made him one of golf’s most electrifying players.
Fowler hasn’t teed it up at this event since 2010, typically opting for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship before taking a midseason break. But with the FedEx Cup Playoffs looming and his standing precarious at No. 72 in the points race, the six-time PGA Tour winner is back in the Quad Cities—part of an unusually strong field that includes Jason Day, Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Sungjae Im.
Why the John Deere Classic Suddenly Matters
The tournament has long struggled with its place on the schedule, often wedged before The Open, leading top players to skip it in favor of overseas preparation. But this year, with only five events remaining before the playoffs, the John Deere has become a critical stop for those needing a late-season surge.
- Fowler (No. 72) is fighting to stay inside the top 70 for playoff eligibility.
- Max Homa (No. 122) and Tom Kim (No. 90) are scrambling to secure their spots.
- Even Jason Day (No. 27) and Sungjae Im (No. 24) are using it to solidify their positions ahead of the postseason.
Fowler insists his decision wasn’t solely about points but rather a strategic scheduling shift to free up flexibility for the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship—two late-season events he may enter if needed.
“I felt like having the Scottish off before The Open and playing these three weeks in a row (Travelers, Rocket Mortgage, John Deere) was a better flow,” Fowler said.
Signature Events Reshaping the PGA Tour Landscape
The Tour’s new Signature Event model—designed to concentrate star power in select tournaments—has been polarizing. But one unintended consequence? Stronger fields at “regular” stops like the John Deere.
Fowler acknowledges the shift:
“The normal events seem to be getting a little bit stronger, just with guys playing more and where things fit in the schedule.”
He also advocates for a leaner Tour, with fewer events and a tighter exemption cutoff (slated to drop from 125 to 100 players in 2026).
“I don’t think the PGA Tour should have secondary or opposite-field events,” Fowler argued. “A PGA Tour event should be a PGA Tour event.”
Fowler’s Form: A Season of Struggle
The fan favorite has endured a frustrating 2025, with just one top-10 finish (Memorial Tournament) and missed cuts in five of his last eight starts. He ranks outside the top 100 in key metrics like approach play, putting, and short game—a far cry from his resurgent 2023 season.
Yet, Fowler remains optimistic:
“I feel like my game is trending in the right direction.”
A strong showing at TPC Deere Run could reignite his season—and spare him from relying on sponsor exemptions (he’s used six this year) to access 2026’s Signature Events.
A Welcome Homecoming
For the Quad Cities crowd, Fowler’s return is a nostalgic bonus. His last appearance here predates his iconic orange Sundays, his 2015 Players Championship triumph, and even his Ryder Cup heroics.
Whether he contends or not, his presence underscores how the evolving PGA Tour structure is reshaping player commitments—and giving events like the John Deere a second life.
