Strong names dot early JDC field

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By Craig DeVrieze | Tuesday, April 15, 2008 1:39 PM CDT | () comments

Bubba Watson reacts to his chip shot on the sixth green during the third round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Saturday, April 12, 2008. (AP Photo)

UPDATED: The 2008 John Deere Classic could tee off tomorrow with a more than representative field of players.

An early list of commitments included names such as Woody Austin, Bubba Watson, Tom Lehman, Shaun Micheel, Jerry Kelly, Boo Weekly, Lucas Glover and 2008 PGA Tour winners Sean O’Hair, J.B. Holmes, D.J. Trahan and Johnson Wagner.

Also back will be local heroes and former major champions Todd Hamilton and Zach Johnson and 2007 runner-up Tom Clark.

Defending champion Jonathan Byrd and O’Hair, the 2005 JDC champ, will be joined by former Q-C winners John Senden (2006), Mark Hensby (2004), J.P. Hayes (2002) and J.L. Lewis (1999).

“We’re thrilled with the way the 2008 field is shaping up,’’ JDC tournament director Clair Peterson said. “We are very pleased we have commitments from five major champions, Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup team members, a number of recent Tour winners and several top young players.’’

The tournament will take place July 10-13 at the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.