3 Dark Horse Picks to Win the John Deere Classic at FanDuel Sportsbook

One week ahead of next week's Open Championship in England, a lighter field will hit TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic. The event was canceled last year during the pandemic, and defending champion Dylan Frittelli returns looking to cash in as a big longshot again.

According to John Deere Classic odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Fritelli is +8000 to repeat. Just seven of the top 55 players in the world rankings are in the field led by Daniel Berger (+950), Brian Harman (+1500), Sunjae Im (+1500), Russell Henley (+1700) and Kevin Streelman (+1800).

But beyond the favorites, here are some dark horse picks to win the John Deere Classic, and add to your prop bets and top finishing position wagers at FanDuel Sportsbook.

1. Hank Lebioda (+4300)

The recent Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands serves as a comp course, and Hank Lebioda finished T5 in that event late last month. Lebioda followed that with a T4 finish last week in the Rocket Mortgage Classic and 3-putted the 71st hole to cost himself a spot in the three-man playoff. Hank is playing his best golf ranking top seven in strokes gained total over his last 36 rounds, and he can challenge to become the 19th first time winner of the John Deere in this 50th anniversary year. The 27-year-old lefty is among the best in the field in hitting greens, and ranks top 10 in ball striking and approach. He's been making birdies in bunches in three of his last four events with double-digit under par scores. Setting up more birdie chances and making putts is required to go low and challenge for the win at TPC Deere Run.

2. Jhonattan Vegas (+3600)

If Jhonattan Vegas could only putt even average on TOUR, he'd have more than three PGA wins. The 36-year-old Venezuelan is fresh having not played in three weeks, and he's finished T-3 here in the past. Outside of his short game and putting problems, Vegas ranks highly in this field in ball striking, off-the-tee and both opportunities and birdies-or-better gained. He's capable of contending, and his lower odds reflect the oddsmakers belief.

3. Kramer Hickok (+8000)

Kramer Hickok nearly broke through when losing in a playoff at the recent Travelers Championship, and he had the expected letdown last week. The 29-year-old is very accurate off the tee and hits greens at a high rate. Those attributes will payoff this week, and Hickok joins the other two picks with a higher all-around ranking in this field. The 29-year-old from Austin and University of Texas does not have popping strokes gained stats. But getting behind a more confident and improving player at longer odds before the market catches up is how you cash in at bigger prices when betting.

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