Davis Thompson shot 9-under-par 62 to move into the lead in the John Deere Classic in Saturday’s third round at Silvis, Ill., seeking to secure his first victory on the PGA Tour after recent strong outings.
Thompson goes into Sunday’s final round at 21-under 192 with a two-stroke advantage on Eric Cole, who recorded a 64 with a strong late-round stretch, and England’s Aaron Rai, who posted 66.
Thompson, who had bogey-free rounds Thursday and Saturday, might have to maintain the torrid pace at TPC Deere Run, where low scores have become the norm.
Thompson, 25, is a former University of Georgia golfer seeking his first championship on the PGA Tour. Perhaps he’s due because he tied for second place last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and shared ninth place in the U.S. Open.
Cole’s back nine included four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. He’s also bidding for his first title on the PGA Tour.
Hayden Springer, who had an opening-round 59, was back in the groove after a challenging second round. He shot 66 and shares fourth place at 17 under with Taiwan’s C.T. Pan (68), who was the co-leader with Rai after two rounds. Pan’s only bogey Saturday came on the last hole.
It’s turning into another strong tournament for amateur Luke Clanton, who posted 67 on Saturday to move to 16 under. Clanton, who birdied No. 18 for the second day in a row, is tied for sixth place with J.J. Spaun (65) and Michael Thorbjornsen (66).
Clanton, a 20-year-old Florida State golfer, finished in a 10th-place tie at the Rocket Mortgage Classic shortly after making the cut in last month’s U.S. Open.
Jordan Spieth (63), the tournament’s 2013 and 2015 winner, had the second-best score Saturday before sitting in a tie for 12th place at 14 under.
Spieth, who was among the early groups, moved into a share of the lead by reaching 8 under for the round through 12 holes.
–Field Level Media