C.T. Pan from Chinese Taipei closed with a bogey-free 63 featuring an eagle at the par-4 14th to take a share of the lead at the John Deere Classic. He seeks a second PGA Tour victory in his 193rd start.
“I’m actually impressed by myself. It’s pretty tough out there when the wind picks up 15, 20 mile out there.
“Like I said, it’s totally opposite wind direction as well so hitting different tee shot, different clubs and have different numbers for the approach shots,” said Pan.
“I was able to hit a lot of good iron shots to give myself birdie chances out there. Eagle on 14 is always good feeling.
“It’s been a while since the last time I shot 63 so this is a good week so far.”
England’s Aaron Rai, who held a share of the 36-hole lead at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic and finished with a career-high T2, fired a bogey-free 63 to have another chance at a first PGA Tour title in his 86th start.
His 128 total is another new career-best opening 36-hole besting his 131 last week.
“Definitely tougher today,” said Rai. “I think we had great conditions yesterday, as good as we can get.
“Today was pretty different. A lot of crosswinds, probably blew 10 to 15 all day. Played well. Good ball flights tee to green. Had a lot of opportunities and made a lot of putts as well.”
At 13-under 129, Harry Hall matched his career-best opening 36-hole score at the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge where he finished with a career-best T3. He lies in solo third place at 13-under.
Overnight leader Hayden Springer who opened with a 59 on Friday, shot a 71 aftr a pair of bogeys and a double bogey at the par-4 6th to slip down into a share of fourth place at 12-under alongside fellow Americans Eric Cole (68), Davis Thompson (67), Denny McCarthy (66), Luke Clanton (67) and Korean Sungjae Im who closed with a 64.
Related: Leona Maguire clinches first Ladies European Tour victory at Aramco Team Series
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