Davis Thompson's clutch birdie propels him to the top at John Deere Classic

Davis Thompson is aiming for a repeat victory at the John Deere Classic, having taken the lead on moving day after an impressive performance at TPC Deere Run. His 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole sealed a 4-under 67 and gave him a one-shot advantage heading into the final round.

The competition was fierce, with as many as 10 players tied for the lead at one point during Saturday’s play. Thompson emerged from that tightly packed group after Brian Campbell sunk a 30-foot birdie of his own earlier on the same hole. The clutch finish helped Thompson reach a total of 15-under 198, putting him just ahead of a strong field that includes Campbell, Max Homa, Emiliano Grillo, and David Lipsky — all of whom carded 68s.

Among those who fell back was Doug Ghim, the 36-hole leader who struggled in the third round. A string of bogeys over his last 10 holes led to a 74, dropping him well outside the top 20.

Thompson’s birdie-birdie finish on the 17th and 18th holes showcased his determination, though he narrowly missed an eagle opportunity on the par-5 17th. If he can secure the win on Sunday, he’ll become the first player to capture back-to-back titles at the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker achieved the feat with three consecutive wins from 2009 to 2011.

Beyond prestige, there's added motivation for Thompson: a victory would boost him to the top of the alternate list for entry into the British Open based on world rankings. However, with so many contenders still in the mix, the final round promises to be a nail-biter.

“Nice to have some momentum going into tomorrow,” Thompson said, reflecting on his strong close.

Trailing by three shots are Camilo Villegas and Austin Eckroat, both of whom shot solid rounds of 69 and 67 respectively. Matt Kuchar (67) and Auburn junior Jackson Koivun joined them in the group four strokes behind the leader. In total, thirteen players remain within four shots of the top of the leaderboard.

Among the leading competitors, only Lipsky, Koivun, and Kevin Roy have yet to claim a PGA Tour title. Among the more experienced players, Max Homa stands out as a proven contender despite a challenging year marked by poor form and frequent changes in his team setup. He managed to steady his game again on Saturday, even after a rare off-green mishap at the par-5 10th hole, where he ended up 40 yards left of the green — across a road. Still, he salvaged par and capitalized on the back nine to shoot 68.

Homa hasn’t tasted victory since January 2023 at Torrey Pines and has faced intense scrutiny this season due to his lackluster performance — including more than a year without a top-10 finish. Yet, he remains optimistic.

“Golf has just been very boring for me this year. I haven’t had a whole lot of stress, and you want to be stressed out,” Homa shared. “I look forward to the butterflies in the morning; I look forward to the first tee shot. It’s just nice to feel that again.”

The course itself presented a much sterner test compared to the opening two days. With thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon, tee times were moved up, and the combination of heat and wind made for firm, fast greens and tricky pin placements tucked along the edges. As a result, no player broke 66 in the third round, a stark contrast to the previous two days, which featured 28 scores of 65 or better.

Kuchar, among others, welcomed the challenge. “Certainly makes for a fun Sunday when a bunch of guys have a chance,” he remarked.

One such guy is Koivun, who trails by four but could make history if he pulls off a win. He has the chance to become the second amateur in as many years to triumph on the PGA Tour. Nick Dunlap accomplished the feat last year at The American Express before turning professional and securing lucrative opportunities. While Koivun has already earned a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University program, he has chosen to return to Auburn for now.

“It’s obviously very inspiring to see what he did about a year ago now,” Koivun said. “Obviously, to be one of the few (amateurs) to win a professional event would be great. At the end of the day, I just got to go give it my best shot and be happy with the result.”