Rickie Fowler returns to the fairways at the John Deere Classic 2025, aiming to end a winless streak that stretches back to his Rocket Classic victory in 2023. As he prepares for the action at TPC Deere Run in Illinois, the Rickie Fowler John Deere Classic 2025 storyline centers on whether the experienced golfer can reclaim his former success after recent struggles on the PGA Tour.

Recent Struggles and Quest for Redemption

This season has tested Fowler’s consistency, with the 36-year-old golfer currently ranked 111th in the Official World Golf Rankings. His missed cut at the Rocket Classic in Detroit marked another low point, and his recent form has made him an outsider heading into the John Deere Classic 2025, where bookmakers give him odds of 55-1. Fowler’s odds place him tenth among the 156 participants, tying with Kurt Kitayama for this position as he faces stiff competition from players like Ben Griffin, Jason Day, Denny McCarthy, Si Woo Kim, Chris Kirk, and Rocket Classic champion Aldrich Potgieter, who all carry shorter pre-tournament odds.

Fowler’s season has included moments of promise—he started 2025 with a T21 finish at The American Express and later achieved his best result with a T7 at The Memorial Tournament. Between these, he secured a T18 at the Cognizant Classic and notched several top-25 finishes, displaying the flashes of brilliance that made him a fixture in major golf events. However, recurring setbacks have limited his progress, with several missed cuts, withdrawals, and a series of results outside the top ten dampening expectations for a rapid turnaround.

Tough Major Championship Campaign

Fowler’s efforts at this year’s golf majors have produced little to celebrate. He failed to advance past the cut at the PGA Championship and was absent from both the Masters and the US Open, highlighting how far his game has slipped since his last victory. The California native now sets his sights on The Open Championship in July, hopeful for a resurgence but arriving at TPC Deere Run with form that remains far from its peak. The intense spotlight and internal pressure as a previous Ryder Cupper only add to the complexity of his comeback attempt.

Evaluating Fowler’s 2025 PGA Tour Performances

Analysing Rickie Fowler’s journey through the 2025 PGA Tour season reveals a pattern of fluctuating fortunes. Here are his results and earnings in chronological order:

1. The American Express – T21 – $83,270
2. AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – T53 – $43,000
3. WM Phoenix Open – Withdrawn
4. The Genesis Invitational – T39 – $82,000
5. Cognizant Classic – T18 – $117,607
6. THE PLAYERS Championship – 71 – $50,750
7. Texas Children’s Houston Open – T52 – $22,301
8. Valero Texas Open – T30 – $62,225
9. RBC Heritage – 68 – $39,000
10. Truist Championship – T15 – $350,000
11. PGA Championship – Missed Cut
12. Charles Schwab Challenge – T16 – $140,125
13. The Memorial Tournament – T7 – $603,200
14. Travelers Championship – T36 – $90,500
15. Rocket Classic – Missed Cut

This mix includes a series of mid-field finishes, withdrawals, missed cuts at key events, and just one top-10 result, defining a season of contrasts. Fowler’s highlight remains his strong performance at The Memorial Tournament, which stands out as his sole top-10 finish of 2025 so far.

Top Contenders Set the Pace at John Deere Classic 2025

As the John Deere Classic approaches, Ben Griffin and Jason Day emerge as early favorites, holding 16-1 and 22-1 odds respectively, according to SportsLine. Denny McCarthy is close behind at 28-1, followed by Si Woo Kim (30-1) and J.T. Poston (33-1). Defending champion Davis Thompson sits at 35-1, sharing his odds with notable names like Sungjae Im, Luke Clanton, Michael Thorbjornsen, Jake Knapp, and Chris Kirk.

Rocket Classic champion Aldrich Potgieter enjoys 40-1 odds, grouping with Kevin Yu, Bud Cauley, Lucas Glover, and others, while familiar contenders such as Ryan Gerard, Alex Smalley, Michael Kim, and Keith Mitchell populate the field. Mark Hubbard and Kurt Kitayama, both seasoned on the PGA Tour, represent longshot picks alongside Fowler’s own 55-1 odds. These expectations place Fowler in the bottom half of contenders, intensifying the challenge ahead.

Here is a breakdown of the top odds at the John Deere Classic (via SportsLine):

1. Ben Griffin +1600
2. Jason Day +2200
3. Denny McCarthy +2800
4. Si Woo Kim +3000
5. J.T. Poston +3300
6. Sungjae Im +3500
7. Luke Clanton +3500
8. Davis Thompson +3500
9. Michael Thorbjornsen +3500
10. Jake Knapp +3500
11. Chris Kirk +3500
12. Aldrich Potgieter +4000
13. Sam Stevens +4000
14. Kevin Yu +4000
15. Thorbjorn Olesen +4000
16. Pierceson Coody +4000
17. Chris Gotterup +4000
18. Bud Cauley +4000
19. Lucas Glover +4500
20. Ryan Gerard +4500
21. Alex Smalley +4500
22. Michael Kim +4500
23. Keith Mitchell +5000
24. Mark Hubbard +5000
25. Kurt Kitayama +5500
26. Rickie Fowler +5500

What Lies Ahead for Fowler and the John Deere Classic

As coverage of the John Deere Classic 2025 unfolds, Rickie Fowler’s pursuit of victory against a strong field stirs anticipation. The tournament not only provides a potential turning point for his season but also draws attention to other key figures like Ben Griffin, Jason Day, and Aldrich Potgieter, all vying for the spotlight. Any breakthrough by Fowler at TPC Deere Run would mark a significant turnaround in his career and reshape discussions around his place among contemporary golf’s elite. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if this weekend offers the comeback Fowler has been seeking.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Has Rickie Fowler gone to Liv?

A. The golfer, who has won six times on the PGA Tour, explained his thinking during a Netflix interview. He said joining LIV was not the right move for him. He is not interested in just earning money, but wants to challenge himself against the top players. In his opinion, the PGA Tour offers the best competition, and he hopes it stays that way.

Q. Why did Rickie Fowler quit?

A. Rickie Fowler pulled out of the WM Phoenix Open before round two because he was sick. In the first round, he scored 3-over-par 74.

Fowler, who has won six times on the PGA TOUR, also got attention for wearing a camouflage outfit from head to toe during the first round.

Q. Are Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy friends?

A. Rickie Fowler should look to Rory McIlroy’s Masters win for motivation. Seeing a good friend achieve something big can be very encouraging. For Fowler, watching McIlroy win should help him feel inspired to reach the strong form he had several years ago.