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Former Hawkeye golfer makes PGA debut at John Deere Classic, just like his brother

The 2021 John Deere Classic is Alex Schaake's first PGA tournament.

SILVIS, Ill. — The 2021 John Deere Classic is Alex Schaake's first PGA tournament.

Alex Schaake, from Omaha, Nebraska, was given a sponsor exemption to compete in the tournament. 

The former University of Iowa Hawkeye comes into the tournament on the heels of a successful college golf career, being named the Big Ten Player of the Year in both 2019 and in 2021.  He's the only Hawkeye to get that honor twice.

RELATED: These upcoming golfers have been given sponsor exemptions for the 2021 John Deere Classic

And while he's got plenty of Hawkeye fans cheering him on during tournament play, he's got a close connection to one specific fan - his brother, Carson Schaake. 

Carson turned pro in 2015 and also made his debut into the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic. 

"He's given me a little bit of advice just on how to handle the situation," said Alex. "Nothing about the golf course, he knows that I can figure that by myself. It might be a little bit different than when he played in 2015."

The two are there two support each other, but like all brothers have, it comes with a little rivalry too. 

When asked who's the better golfer, the brothers both hold fast to their superiority, but it all comes down to the shots on the course.

   

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