Zach Johnson said he does not know the John Deere Classic purse, and he does not care. He called money “not the motivation” as GOLF.com published a 2026 purse article tied to TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
Zach Johnson and the purse
Johnson said the timing matters because he was asked about the event potentially becoming “second tier” under upcoming changes on the PGA Tour. His answer did not go anywhere near the payout math. It went straight to his priorities.
“I’ll just say, you know, personally speaking, and I say this — this is my 24th start? I have no idea what the purse is.” He added, “I have never looked at one in my entire tenure.” Then came the bluntest line: “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
TPC Deere Run in Silvis
The event is played at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., and the purse story sits inside that setting. Lucas Glover was pictured hitting his tee shot on Saturday on the 16th hole, a reminder that tournament coverage is moving while the money discussion remains the side issue.
Johnson said he appreciated the people who run the event and the work they do. He also said that if the tournament ends up below the first tier, there still will be “phenomenal athletes playing and opportunity galore.”
That leaves the practical reader question hanging: the article headline promises payout info and winner’s share, but the provided text does not include the actual numbers. What is clear is Johnson’s own line on the matter — “Personally speaking, money is not the motivation.”
