John Deere Classic 2015: Dates, Tee Times, TV Info, Prize Money

Jordan Spieth headlines the field in the 2015 John Deere Classic, and there's plenty more at stake than simply another PGA Tour victory.  

As we know, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy ruptured a ligament in his ankle while playing soccer—an injury that is likely to keep him out through the Open Championship. According to PGATour.com, if Spieth should finish seventh or better in the John Deere Classic and go on to win the Open Championship—which would be his third major of the year—he would replace the Northern Irishman as No. 1 in the world.

That's not entirely out of the question for the Texas native, as his first ever PGA Tour victory came in the John Deere Classic two years ago. However, he'll have some hefty competition, as 2012 champion Zach Johnson, three-time champion Steve Stricker and recent PGA Tour winners are among a very talented field.

So, as we await these players to take on TPC Deere Run, which features dramatic elevation changes in the woodlands alongside the Rock River in Silvis, Illinois, let's take a look at the tournament's essential viewing information, prize money and some notable Thursday tee times.

2015 John Deere Classic

Dates: Thursday, July 9 - Sunday, July 12

Where: TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois

Purse: $4.7 million (winning share: $846,000)

FedEx Cup Points: 500 to winner

TV Info:

• Thursday and Friday: 4-7 p.m. ET, Golf Channel
• Saturday and Sunday: 3-6 p.m. ET, CBS

Notable Thursday Tee Times

Golfer	Tee Time (ET)
Harris English	8:30 a.m.
Robert Streb	8:50 a.m.
Steve Stricker	8:50 a.m.
Kevin Kisner	8:50 a.m.
David Hearn	9:20 a.m.
Jerry Kelly	9:40 a.m.
Shawn Stefani	1:10 p.m.
Ryan Moore	1:40 p.m.
Kevin Streelman	1:40 p.m.
Zach Johnson	1:50 p.m.
Stewart Cink	1:50 p.m.
K.J. Choi	1:50 p.m.
Jordan Spieth	2 p.m.
Erik Compton	2:10 p.m.
Ricky Barnes	2:20 p.m.

All tournament tee times courtesy of PGATour.com.

Stars to Watch

David Cannon/Getty Images

Spieth begins his journey to claim his position atop the world rankings at TPC Deere Run. The 21-year-old phenom has been on quite a tear this year, winning both the Masters and U.S. Open and adding a victory in the Valspar Championship along with three runner-up finishes and four other top-10 showings. Now, that's impressive.

The success of the world No. 2 has been prevalent in the John Deere Classic over recent years, as he won the tournament in a playoff in 2013 and went on to finish tied for seventh last year. This is clearly a track where he feels comfortable, making him very dangerous to notch a second consecutive victory—this marks his first start since winning the U.S. Open.

Spieth shared his thoughts on playing the John Deere Classic despite the impending Open Championship during a press conference, per Rick Brown of the Des Moines Register:

"

This tournament has truly launched my career to a different level, and those memories I don't forget.

I don't think I'm here strictly because I'm honoring a commitment. If I thought I wasn't going to play well next week because I played here, it would be a different story. I probably wouldn't be here.

"

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Spieth's biggest challenger at TPC Deere Run may be Johnson, the tournament's 2012 champion. He's been playing some phenomenal golf recently, notching two top-10 finishes in his last three starts. He hasn't placed in the top three in any tournament this season, but he's finished inside the top 10 six times.

Johnson's affinity for the John Deere Classic is well known, as he's finished outside the top three just once in his last six starts in the tournament. With precise iron play, a fantastic short game and a consistent putting stroke, Johnson's game is well suited for TPC Deere Run, making him a name to watch this week.

Darren Carroll/Getty Images

Speaking of some phenomenal golf of late, Kevin Kisner has been on quite a roll. The American notched a tie for 12th in the U.S. Open, and he surrounded that with three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up showing in last week's Greenbrier Classic.

Kisner's runner-up finish in the Greenbrier Classic came by a loss in a playoff, marking his third such finish in his last eight starts. Considering the way he's been playing of late, and the fact that he's shot in the red in 29 of his last 33 rounds, a scoring course like TPC Deere Run could be just what he needs to finally get over the hump and notch his first victory of 2015.