SILVIS, Ill. — Doug Ghim made a powerful statement Thursday at the John Deere Classic by carding a remarkable 9-under 62. His round included an eagle on the par-4 sixth hole and no bogeys, placing him ahead of a tightly packed leaderboard during this traditionally low-scoring PGA Tour event.
Ghim holds a one-shot advantage over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat at the TPC Deere Run, where champions typically finish well below par; in fact, the winning score has been 20 under or better in 12 of the past 15 tournaments.
Strong Field Challenges Ghim Amid Near-Perfect Conditions
With optimal weather and course conditions, Ghim remained cautious about his lead, aware that a 62 might not hold by the end of the day. The afternoon session saw slightly more wind, causing scores to climb, with the best posted round being a 65 by four players, including Cameron Champ and Brian Campbell, winner of the Mexico Open.
Discussing his strategy, Ghim remarked,
“Honestly, any time you can get to 20 under or better you’re going to have a chance. It’s still golf. It’s still a challenge. You have to hit fairways. I hit a lot of them today. So just trying to shoot forwards of 6 under every day and see where that puts me.”
—Doug Ghim, PGA Tour Player
Rising Talents and Former Champions Seek Momentum
South African Aldrich Potgieter, fresh off his first PGA Tour victory in Detroit last week, remained in contention early but faltered with a late bogey on the par-5 17th, closing with a 67. The John Deere Classic is known for unveiling new champions, boasting 24 first-time winners since 1970, including notable players such as Davis Thompson (last year), Bryson DeChambeau (2017), and Jordan Spieth (2013).
Veterans Max Homa and Austin Eckroat, both previous winners, are eager to regain top form. Homa, once ranked as high as No. 8 globally and a Ryder Cup participant, has recently cycled through new equipment, coaching, and caddie changes as he attempts to end a slump. Eckroat, meanwhile, won twice in 2024 but has struggled this year, dropping from No. 35 to No. 75 in the world rankings and missing out on the last two majors.
Homa mounted a strong start with four consecutive birdies, sharing the lead with Ghim until a misplayed approach into a bunker at the ninth hole resulted in his only bogey. Eckroat countered his challenges by recording two eagles: one on the par-5 second hole from 12 feet and another spectacular hole-out from 137 yards on the par-4 fifth.
Exceptional Scoring Depth Pushes the Field
The scoring was notably low across the board, with 18 players shooting 65 or better and more than half of the 156 competitors breaking 70. Michael Kim and Sam Stevens both carded impressive 64s, joining the chase for favorable positioning in the tournament.
Kim, a first-time winner at the John Deere Classic in 2018, secured that victory with a dominant 27-under total but subsequently faced setbacks, even returning to the Korn Ferry Tour at one point. His resurgence began after working with swing coach Sean Foley, and he now seems poised for a strong finish.
World Rankings and Future Opportunities Loom Large
Kim and Stevens, among others, are aiming to improve their world rankings, which will influence the alternate list for next week’s British Open. Currently ranked No. 55, Kim looks set to qualify for all four majors in the same year for the first time in his career.
The John Deere Classic’s reputation as a launchpad for emerging talents and a testing ground for seasoned players ensures an exciting week ahead, with Doug Ghim’s early lead setting the stage for a competitive battle at TPC Deere Run.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Doug Ghim ever won?
A. Ghim finished in second place at the 2017 U.S. Amateur, earning spots in the 2018 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open. Additionally, he claimed victory at the 2017 Pacific Coast Amateur.
Q. How much money did Doug Ghim make in his career?
A. Doug Ghim has made $7,255,745 throughout his career. StatMuse provides season-by-season earnings data starting from the 1980 season.