Davis Thompson carded a bogey-free 62 on Saturday to reach 21-under and take a two-shot lead into the final day at the John Deere Classic.
“Got off to a good start. Was in a little trouble on 5, but to make that bunker shot and keep it going, that was great.
“On 6 I hit a tree. It kicked back out on the fairway and made birdie. It could have gone the other way. I guess it was just my day today. Hit a lot of good shots on the back nine and finished the round off well. Yeah, it was good.”
The 62 matches his career-low score from round one of the 2023 American Express. Thompson is seeking his first win in his 63rd start and has held the 54-hole lead/co-lead on Tour once before again at the 2023 American Express where he finished second.
“I’m sure I’ll have a number in my mind tomorrow once I look at the conditions and hole locations,” said Thompson. “My goal tomorrow is just hit the first tee shot on 1 and then the second shot and third shot and just stack good shots on top of each other.”
American Eric Cole, who had his second top-10 finish of the season at last week Rocket Mortgage Classic, eagled the par-5 17th to close with a 64 and a share of second place at 19-under.
England’s Aaron Rai, who finished T2 last week and held a share of the overnight lead, is back in a share of second place after signing for a 66.
“I think it’s very difficult to try and force great weeks. I think a lot of those just happen as a result of playing good golf and doing the right things and just trying to roll with the momentum.
“So yeah, felt in a really good place coming into this week and just tried to approach it in the same way from Monday to Wednesday. Obviously played some really good golf in the last three days to put us in this position.
“I think it’s been really good being in this position for Saturday and Sunday last week, and also today’s round being in the final group. So those are great experiences to take into tomorrow.”
At the same time, it’s a completely different day and it will provide a different test. We’ll see how it goes.
Overnight co-lead C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei made four birdies and a single bogey at the par-4 18th to close with a 68 and a share of fourth place at 17-under alongside first round leader Hayden Springer of the United States who shot a 66 featuring an eagle at the par-5 2nd hole.
Related: Jordan Smith joins Ewen Ferguson in the lead
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