SILVIS, IL. – In its first 54 stagings Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour stop was dominated by golf’s young guys. Twenty-four of them won their first PGA Tour event in the John Deere Classic, and that’s the most of any event on the circuit.
In this year’s 55th playing, however, things may be changing. In Thursday’s first round 46-year old Lucas Glover shot 63 on the TPC Deere Run course to grab the first round lead and 50-year old Zach Johnson was just a shot back.
Both are past JDC champions, Johnson in 2012 and Glover in 2021. Their wins weren’t flukes. Johnson’s12 PGA Tour wins include the 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open. Glover’s six career victories include the 2009 U.S. Open.
And now, with 36 holes left, both could win again. Glover stayed hot in Round 2, shooting a 65 to hit the halfway point in the tournament at 14-under 128. Lee Hodges is second, two shots back, while Johnson dropped into a tie for 11th despite another solid round.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,’’ said Johnson, who led through most of Friday’s morning session. “I’m not in contention yet. The way look at it is, I still have 36 holes left, but I still think guys on the Champions (50-and-over) Tour can win out here.’’
Nobody knows the TPC Deere Run layout, site of the tournament since 2000, better than Johnson. He’s played in the tournament every year since 2002. Not only that, but he’s been on the tournament board of directors for many years and is an ambassador for John Deere Company.
“I know what I’m capable of, and what I’m not capable of,’’ he said. “This is just a great opportunity, again, to walk the grounds that I’ve adored and loved for so many years.’’
Glover was given his first start on the PGA Tour in 2002, right after playing college golf at Clemson.
“I’ve been coming here a long time,’’ he said. “I’ve always been fond of the course, the town, the community, the people. Even struggling like I have this year, you pull down the driveway where you’ve had success and it gives you a good feeling. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that one swing, one round, one week can change a lot.’’
While the two vets have been the story the first two days, they know there’s trouble ahead.
Moments after Johnson made bogey on his last hole Chris Gotterup, playing in the threesome immediately behind him, pulled into a tie for the lead. This young star has already won the Myrtle Beach Classic on the PGA Tour and will defend his Irish Open title next week. Then Jackson Suber led briefly until Glover, playing in the afternoon, took charge by shooting a 5-under-par 31 on his first nine.
Two-time winner Jordan Spieth, Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim and reigning Illinois Open champion Michael Feagles all survived the 36-hole cut. Brian Campbell, last year’s JDC winner, didn’t.
Eric Cole had the day’s best round, an unlikely 63 after shooting 76 on Thursday. He damaged his 8-iron in frustration after stand 140th in the first round and had a whole set of irons shipped to him for Round 2. The new clubs helped him gain a weekend playing spot and made him the playing coming from the farthest behind to survive in the history of the tournament.
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