Michael Kim wins John Deere Classic and earns Open start
Kim finished eight clear to claim his first PGA Tour victory


Michael Kim of the USA finished on a record-breaking four-round total of 27-under-par to win the John Deere Classic by eight shots and earn a start in The Open at Carnoustie.
Michael Kim wins John Deere Classic and earns Open start
Michael Kim fired a closing round of 66 to cruise to victory in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois and earn a place in The Open Championship. The 25-year-old finished eight clear of Bronson Burgoon, Joel Dahmen, Sam Ryder and Francesco Molinari.
Kim had missed five of his last six cuts heading into this event but he closed out his first PGA Tour victory in some style at TPC Deere Run.
The 25-year-old took a five-shot lead into Sunday and when he birdied his first three holes to take a seven-stroke advantage, the tournament was effectively over.
Kim held his nerve into the back nine and made another crucial birdie on the 16th hole. It took him beyond Steve Stricker’s tournament scoring record.
In 84 previous PGA Tour starts, Kim had only once finished in the top-10. Now he is a Tour winner and he will play in The Open at Carnoustie this week.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“To be able to finish out in style like this, it means a lot," Kim said. "To be sitting here with a trophy, I'm at a loss for words. Even the last couple of weeks, I felt like my game was getting there. I just felt like I needed just a couple of good starts to the rounds."
Italy’s Francesco Molinari was one of the players who tied for a distant second place in the event. He has been enjoying a superb season, following victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth with a win on the PGA Tour in the Quicken Loans National. He closed with 64 at TPC Deere Run to claim a tie for second and to move into the top-30 on the FedEx Cup standings.
“I’m in a much stronger position now heading into the summer, and then The Playoffs, and so I need to keep it going,” he said. “Obviously, I would really like to make it to the TOUR Championship. I missed it by, I think, one shot last year, so I will do my best to be there in Atlanta.”
John Deere Classic TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois 12-15 July Purse: $5,800,000 Par: 71
1 Michael Kim (USA) 63 64 64 66 257 $1,044,000 T2 Bronson Burgoon (USA) 68 62 66 69 265 $382,800 T2 Joel Dahmen (USA) 64 71 65 65 265 $382,800 T2 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 65 66 70 64 265 $382,800 T2 Sam Ryder (USA) 66 66 67 66 265 $382,800 6 Harold Varner III (USA) 67 65 66 68 266 $208,800 T7 Chad Campbell (USA) 66 70 66 66 268 $168,780 T7 John Huh (USA) 70 63 69 66 268 $168,780 T7 Keith Mitchell (USA) 67 68 66 67 268 $168,780 T7 Andres Romero (Arg) 64 71 64 69 268 $168,780 T7 Kevin Streelman (USA) 66 71 66 65 268 $168,780
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
The 'Diabolical' Overhanging Tree Everyone Is Talking About At The Players Championship
After the old one was lost to disease in 2014, a new overhanging oak tree arrived just in front of the sixth tee box at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course in 2025
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Brandel Chamblee Claims There Would Be 'Uproar On The PGA Tour' If LIV Golfers Were Allowed To Play Signature Events
The Golf Channel analyst claimed 'it would be wrong' if players from the LIV Golf League were allowed to play Signature Events on the PGA Tour
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Austin Cook Facts: 16 Things You Didn't Know About The American Golfer
Discover more about American golfer, Austin Cook via these facts regarding his life and career in the game so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Patton Kizzire Facts: 22 Things You Didn't Know About The American Golfer
Discover more about American golfer, Patton Kizzire via these facts about his life and career in the game so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Joseph Bramlett Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Joseph Bramlett has experienced highs and lows during his professional career - here are 10 things to know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Trey Mullinax Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Trey Mullinax was part of a brilliant college golf team before making his way in the professional game - find out more about him here with these 10 facts
By Mike Hall Published
-
Chris Gotterup Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Chris Gotterup is one of the PGA Tour's rising stars - here are 10 things to know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Hayden Springer Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Hayden Springer has experienced triumph and tragedy – here are 10 things to know about the PGA Tour pro
By Mike Hall Published
-
Pierceson Coody Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Pro
Pierceson Coody had a brilliant college golf career, and backed that up with almost immediate success after turning pro - here are 15 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall Published
-
Vince Whaley Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
It didn't take Vince Whaley long to earn a PGA Tour card after turning professional, but there's more to the American than his accomplishments on the course
By Mike Hall Published