John Deere Classic Second-Round Leader Prediction & Odds: Who Leads After Round 2 in TPC Deere Run?

The John Deere Classic second-round leader prediction market takes center stage this week as the PGA Tour heads to TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

The tournament takes place July 2–5, 2026, and TPC Deere Run once again sets up as one of the most gettable courses on the PGA Tour schedule. With its history of low scoring and frequent birdie runs, Deere Run consistently allows players to go on scoring streaks and separate from the field early.

Let’s break down the board and identify the best second-round leader bets for the week ahead for our John Deere Classic odds.

💰 John Deere Classic second-round leader predictions

Here are our top golf picks for the 36-hole leader of the John Deere Classic.

⛳ Who'll lead the John Deere Classic after Round 2?

Ben Kohles (+1800)

Ben Kohles is in a strong position to become the Round 2 leader after opening at -6, just two shots back of the current pace. At TPC Deere Run, his elite wedge play and birdie conversion rate fit perfectly with a setup that consistently produces low scores.

Sitting within striking distance allows him to stay aggressive while leaders feel pressure, especially on a course where momentum swings quickly. If he gets hot with the putter early in Round 2, Kohles has the scoring profile and opportunity to climb the leaderboard and take control before the weekend.

Stephan Jaeger (+830)

Stephan Jaeger enters Round 2 in an ideal spot at -7, sitting just one shot off the lead and within easy striking distance at TPC Deere Run. His ball-striking was sharp in the opening round, and this course rewards the aggressive iron play that has fueled his success.

Jaeger has the ability to pile up birdies quickly, which is critical on a layout where low numbers are expected. If he stays dialed in with his approach game and rolls in a few early putts, he has every chance to grab the solo lead Friday.

Davis Riley (+3500)

Davis Riley is well positioned to contend for the Round 2 lead after opening at -6, just two shots off the pace at TPC Deere Run. His accuracy off the tee and steady iron play give him consistent birdie looks on a course that rewards clean approach shots.

Sitting close enough to the top allows him to stay patient while still attacking scoring holes aggressively. If Riley finds rhythm early on the greens, his balanced all-around game is more than capable of producing a low second round and pushing him into the outright lead.

⛅ What to consider when betting on the second-round leader

Betting on the second-round leader of any golf tournament is far different than betting on the tournament winner or any prop market.

Here are the factors I always consider with my second-round leader picks:

• Tee times
• Weather
• Course history
• Round 1 scoring average
• Recent form
• Key stats for the week

The second-round leader betting market is much more volatile than the 72-hole event. As such, the odds for the tournament favorites are higher in this market, and the odds for the long shots are generally slightly shorter when betting on the 18-hole sample.

Early tee times are typically best to target for your picks. Courses are often at their softest and easiest, with no divots in the fairways or wear on the greens. But the weather can significantly change that line of thought. Monitor the weatherto be sure your desired golfers will be dodging the worst of the rain and wind, should any be in the forecast.

I also greatly reduce my timeframe when looking at recent performance entering Friday's second round.

Friday's weather at TPC Deere Run

Weather from Accuweather:

📊 John Deere Classic second-round leader odds

Here are the John Deere Classic second-round leader odds via our best golf betting sites.