Davis Riley has withdrawn from the 2025 John Deere Classic, opening the door for Austin Cook to turn his season around after replacing his fellow American. Although the two-time PGA Tour winner was keen on getting his season back on track this week in Illinois, he has now announced his withdrawal from the tournament.
Cook Handed John Deere Classic Lifeline To Revive Season
Austin Cook has been handed a late entry into the field at TPC Deere Run, offering him a golden chance to breathe life back into his season. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time for Cook, who has endured a difficult 2025 to date. The 34-year-old has played only three events so far and missed the cut in two of them. His form has been inconsistent, and opportunities to compete have been hard to come by. But thanks to Riley’s absence, Cook is back in the field at the John Deere Classic and has the opportunity to remind everyone of his talent by putting in a solid performance.
Cook has struggled for opportunities this year, making just three starts on the PGA Tour and missing the cut in two of them. He earned his first and only PGA Tour victory at the 2017 RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia, finishing four shots clear of J.J. Spaun—who recently won the U.S. Open. But the years since have not been kind to him, as his form has dipped sharply over the past two seasons. Since the start of 2024, Cook has featured in only 20 PGA Tour events and failed to make the cut in 16 of them.
Can Cook Take Advantage of Riley’s Withdrawal?
The big question is whether Cook can take advantage of Riley’s withdrawal from the tournament. The American knows it won’t be easy—his form this year has been worrying. He has struggled to put together four solid rounds and has been plagued by inconsistency. But at the same time, he is not under much pressure. No one expects him to win, and that freedom could allow him to perform at his best.
Austin Cook
Cook has played TPC Deere Run before and understands what the course demands. A hot start in the first two rounds would go a long way. Making the cut would be his first goal—after that, anything is possible. With lower expectations and a course that suits his game, Cook has every reason to believe this could be his week to make headlines again.
The John Deere Classic offers the perfect platform for Cook. With several big names skipping the event to prepare for The Open Championship, the field is wide open—and that means more opportunity for players like Cook to climb the leaderboard.
Main Photo Credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
