Sat Jul 05 19:10:00 UTC 2025: **Ghim Leads John Deere Classic After Two Consecutive Eagle Hole-Outs**
SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — Doug Ghim is in the lead at the John Deere Classic after a stellar performance highlighted by two consecutive days of holing out from the fairway for eagle. Ghim carded a 3-under 68 on Friday, putting him at 12-under 130 and giving him a one-shot lead heading into the weekend. This marks Ghim’s first 36-hole lead in his six years on the PGA Tour.
Defending champion Davis Thompson, who shot a 63, and Max Homa, with a 68, are among the five players within a single stroke of the lead. Brian Campbell, David Lipsky, and Emiliano Grillo are also tied for second.
Ghim’s remarkable eagle on the par-4 15th came from 179 yards out, following a similar feat on the short par-4 sixth in the opening round. “I guess holing out two days in a row is always nice,” Ghim said.
Despite his lead, Ghim remains grounded, acknowledging that a strong performance will be necessary to secure a victory at an event known for producing first-time winners. “The person that’s going to win this tournament will be in the 20-under par area,” he stated.
Homa, who briefly shared the lead, fell back after a bogey on the 18th hole, leaving him one shot behind. Thompson, playing earlier in the day, is aiming to become the first repeat winner of the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker’s three-year reign from 2009 to 2011.
Late-day drama on the 18th green determined the cut line, which ultimately landed at 5-under 137. Brendan Valdes’s birdie on the final hole solidified the cut, allowing Rickie Fowler and Jake Knapp to advance to the weekend.
With inclement weather in the forecast, starting times have been moved up for Saturday’s round. A tight leaderboard sees twelve players separated by just two shots, including Camilo Villegas, Sam Stevens, and Si Woo Kim, who are all vying to improve their world ranking for British Open qualification.
First Piper 