SILVIS, IL — Davis Thompson claimed the 54-hole lead at the 2025 John Deere Classic on Saturday after battling swirling winds and firm greens, conditions that pushed scoring higher than usual at TPC Deere Run. Thompson secured the top spot with a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole, setting the stage for a tense final round on Sunday.
The familiar leaderboard presence marks a significant moment for Thompson, the defending champion, as he looks to repeat his success from last year despite a season of mixed results. Max Homa, Brian Campbell, Emiliano Grillo, and David Lipsky are positioned just one shot behind Thompson, while a competitive pack, including nine players two shots back and twelve more within four strokes, promises a tightly contested finish.
Saturday Scoring and Player Performances Reflect Testing Weather and Course Challenges
Since Thursday, gusting winds reaching 15 to 16 miles per hour and fast, crisp greens have resulted in less typical scoring averages, with players posting higher scores than usual. Thompson’s three-round total stands at 15-under par 198, which is modest compared to his tournament-record 21-under 63 pace through 54 holes last year. Still, the position atop the leaderboard feels familiar and encouraging to him.
Reflecting on his day, Thompson noted,
“I was kind of trending last year coming into this tournament and obviously played well. This year kind of feels the same way. I can’t really focus on last year, but excited to be in this position again.”
—Davis Thompson, defending champion
Thompson’s 4-under 67 included four birdies on the back nine, demonstrating his resilience after a challenging front nine that saw two birdies offset by two bogeys. His caddie’s pep talk at the turn helped him to regain momentum and finish strong, reclaiming the lead at a course where his total is the highest 54-hole score since 2009.
While the course’s firmness and strong winds tested the field, a forecasted drop in wind speed and evening thunderstorms are expected to soften conditions for the final round, potentially favoring players looking for scoring opportunities.
Max Homa Pursues First Victory Since 2023 with Solid Saturday Showing
Max Homa responded well to the windy conditions, carding a 3-under 68 that kept him firmly in contention. Homa is one stroke behind Thompson and is seeking to bounce back from a difficult year marked by only one top-25 finish and a FedExCup ranking of 122nd entering Silvis.
Describing the challenge, Homa said,
“It was really windy today and yesterday afternoon.”
—Max Homa, six-time PGA TOUR winner
He added,
“Wind is obviously the ultimate test for us. It was hard to get the ball real close to the hole today.”
—Max Homa
Homa’s round included four birdies against a single bogey, earning top ranks in Driving Accuracy and Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. His steady play highlights his pursuit of a first win since capturing the Farmers Insurance Open in 2023.
He also shared reflections about his season, saying,
“Golf is just been very boring for me this year. I haven’t had a whole lot of stress, and you want to be stressed out. So I look forward to the butterflies in the morning; I look forward to the first tee shot. It’s just nice to get to feel that again. It’s been a while.”
—Max Homa
Other Contenders Making Moves in the Weekend Chase
Saturday’s lowest round belonged to Kurt Kitayama, who fired a 5-under 66, moving him into a four-way tie for sixth place and just two shots off the lead. He is joined near the front by other past PGA TOUR winners, including Austin Eckroat, Seamus Power, and Camilo Villegas.
Five additional players start Sunday four shots behind Thompson, among them the veteran Matt Kuchar, a nine-time winner on the PGA TOUR, and amateur Jackson Koivun, highlighting the wide range of talent chasing the title.
Brian Campbell, who won earlier this year at the Mexico Open, also remains in position to surface as a contender. He aims to thwart Thompson’s attempt to become the first repeat victor at the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker’s three consecutive wins through 2011.
Campbell joked about his role in continuing Stricker’s legacy, saying,
“I guess I’ll have to help Stricker out a little bit tomorrow.”
—Brian Campbell, Mexico Open winner
Sunday’s Strategies and Stakes at TPC Deere Run
Davis Thompson will tee off at 12:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, alongside David Lipsky, who is aiming for his maiden TOUR victory in his fourth year and 129th start. Max Homa and Emiliano Grillo will start ahead of them, while Kitayama and Campbell will be among the last groups to play.
Thompson, positioned 48th in the FedExCup entering the day, holds the best ranking among the leaders. His calm demeanor belies the intensity of the situation as he prepares for a high-pressure Sunday that could affirm his status as a rising star or open the door to challengers.
Reflecting on the prominence of leading the tournament, Thompson explained,
“It shouldn’t change a whole lot, but I feel like your focus sharpens a little more.”
—Davis Thompson
He added,
“I find it easier to commit to every shot when I’m in the lead, as opposed to the back of the pack.”
—Davis Thompson
Thompson plans to rest at Trophy House, a nearby Airbnb that has housed the past three John Deere Classic champions, preparing mentally by studying weather forecasts and hole locations.
His approach to Sunday will initially avoid scoreboard distractions, focusing instead on his game plan during the early holes and revisiting his standing as the round progresses. He shared,
“Early on probably not going to be scoreboard watching at all. By the back nine, see where I am and go from there.”
—Davis Thompson
The final round at the John Deere Classic promises to be a gripping contest, with a strong leaderboard and favorable weather changes potentially opening scoring opportunities for the field. Thompson’s experience and confidence, combined with the determined chase by players like Homa, Campbell, and others, set up an intense closing chapter in Silvis, Illinois, as the tournament continues its rich tradition at TPC Deere Run.