The largest sports network in Africa, SuperSport, will stream live coverage of the John Deere Classic, PGA Tour on DStv from Thursday, July 4, to Sunday, July 7, 2024, from the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Originally held in 1971 under the name of the Quad Cities Open, this competition was officially recognized by the PGA Tour the very next year. Miller Brewing Company (1982–85), Hardee’s (1986–94), and John Deere (since 1999) have served as title sponsors. Over the course of its 53 years, the tournament has also assisted in raising $174 million for charitable causes.
The current winner is the Austrian Sepp Straka, who placed two strokes ahead of Brendon Todd and Alex Smalley in the 2023 competition. In addition, Straka recorded his first-ever hole-in-one at the US Open last month.
With a strong field that includes Jason Day, who began his professional career at the 2006 event at the age of 19 and who received a sponsor’s exemption, Straka will have his work cut out if he hopes to win the Classic a second time.
Sepp Straka of Austria lines up a shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the 2024 US Open golf tournament at Pinehurst No. 2 course in Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA, 13 June 2024. EPA/CJ GUNTHER
Director of the John Deere Classic tournament Andrew Lehman said, “We are thrilled to have Jason Day in our field.” We’re happy that Jason has decided to come back to the John Deere Classic, where he began his PGA Tour career in 2006. Jason has had a great career.
In addition, two college athletes have been granted exemptions to compete in this year’s John Deere Classic: Illinois’ Jackson Buchanan, the Big Ten Golfer of the Year, and Florida State’s Luke Clanton, the runner-up in the NCAA Championship.
Lehman remarked, “We are excited to carry on the John Deere Classic’s illustrious history of discovering exceptional young golfers and providing them with the chance to compete alongside the best in the world.” “Jackson and Luke have shown themselves to be outstanding players deserving of these highly sought-after exemptions, with five wins between them so far this year.”
“I am excited to see how I can work my way around the course,” Buchanan said, referring to his years of watching the John Deere Classic on TV.
Clanton expressed his gratitude to John Deere and the tournament committee for giving him the chance to participate in the John Deere Classic this year. This has been the starting point for many great players’ careers, and I hope to be the next. I am eager to get things started.
Since its inception in 2000, the Classic has granted exemptions to a number of future major champions, including Webb Simpson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Lucas Glover, Zach Johnson, Jason Day, and Jon Rahm.
John Deere Classic broadcast details
Thursday 4 July
22:00: Day 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Friday 5 July
2200: Day 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Saturday 6 July
19:00: Day 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
Sunday 7 July
19:00: Day 4 – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
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