JOHN DEERE CLASSIC: Defending champ facing different challenges

Defending John Deere Classic champ Sepp Straka brings a totally different perspective with him to this year's John Deere Classic.

Last year, Straka flew under the radar for much of the week before a closing 62 blasted him to his second PGA Tour title.

In 2024, he returns to the Quad-Cities as defending champ and the highest ranked player in the field at No. 24 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Not only does that add to the brightness of the spotlight that shines on him, but he has the added responsibilities that go along with being the owner of a bronze buck trophy.

"My expectations don't really change; pretty much have the same expectations this year as I did last year," said Straka at a Wednesday media session ahead of the $8 million event that start in earnest on Thursday morning.

"So, yeah, it's not like there is crazy hype this year either for

me I don't think. I'm doing all this with having won last

year, but I don't feel like I ever really hype myself up too

much. Just try to prepare for the tournament and then

try to give it my all when Thursday comes around."

But the week has already been different.

So has his life in general.

Instead of staying at the "Champions House" – a rental house in Geneseo where the last two champs have spent JDC week – Straka is spending the week with his wife, Paige and their 6-month-old son, Leo.

"He's traveling a little more," said the champ of his young son. "If it was just my wife we would've stayed in the house.

"Yeah, I think that is the biggest thing. I didn't want to wake up the whole house, the other five guys with the screaming baby at night, so I think I'll just take that on myself."

He could have been on to something with a new approach to getting the better of the competition and keep them from getting any rest.

"It's a life changer for sure," said Straka of the balancing act that comes with fatherhood and pro golf. "It's been great, been awesome. It's just my wife has been incredible. He's been battling some ear infections the last couple months and he won't sleep in the crib, so she's been holding him a lot at night and it's been a battle for her.

"Yeah, it's been incredible. He's been awesome, and definitely a life changer and very grateful for my wife for all she's done for us."

Still, the 31-year-old is excited about the title defense this week at TPC Deere Run as a dad, which he says has changed his perspective of a lot of things, including golf.

"... The goal I think is still the same for me: Just try to bring the best I can, try to prepare the best," said Straka. "My preparation has changed a little bit. Try to be more efficient with my practice than I used to be. I would just go out to the golf course at 8:30 and stay there all day mainly just for fun.

"Now it's a little more targeted. Yeah, still feel like I can prepare equally as much and get ready for tournaments, so that part hasn't really changed too much."

He hopes the results at Deere Run don't change either.

sports writer/golf editor