Davis Thompson doesn’t want to change much for the final day of the John Deere Classic.
He sank a birdie putt from 10½ feet on the final hole to shoot 4-under-par 67 and emerge into the lead among numerous third-round contenders Saturday in Silvis, Ill.
“Nice to kind of have some momentum going into (Sunday),” Thompson said.
Thompson, aiming for his second career victory, withstood windy conditions at TPC Deere Run to move to 15-under 198.
He’s up one shot on David Lipsky, Max Homa, Brian Campbell and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo after they all posted 68s.
Thompson, playing in the final group, overcame a pair of bogeys on the front side, playing the last nine holes in 4 under. Campbell, also in that group, had a birdie on No. 18 as well.
“Make sure I’m sticking to my routines and eating something, putting something in my body every three holes, and staying hydrated,” Thompson said. “Been a long, pretty hot week.”
The scores were tempered Saturday because of conditions that weren’t conducive to low numbers. That could change for the final 18 holes.
“I think it’s going to be back to another birdiefest,” Campbell said. “Guys coming from deep behind, especially with the twosomes.”
Lipsky birdied both back-side par-5s. Homa had birdies on three of the final seven holes. Grillo closed with birdies on two of the last three holes.
More than halfway through the round, there were 10 golfers tied for the lead at 12 under. The afternoon involved a revolving door with golfers rising to the top of the leaderboard.
“I think people get lost in trying to overthink things,” Lipsky said. “I trust my game and I know it’s good. Just do what I’ve been doing and go out there and see what I can do.”
Going to Sunday’s final round, there are 13 golfers within four strokes of the lead.
“Certainly makes for a fun Sunday when a bunch of guys have a chance,” said Matt Kuchar, who’s at 11 under after Saturday’s 67.
The third round began with 12 golfers within two shots of the lead. Doug Ghim, who led after the first and second rounds, slipped to a tie for 21st place by shooting 74. He was a 36-hole leader for the first time on tour.
The group at 12 under includes Kurt Kitayama (66), Austin Eckroat (67), Ireland’s Seamus Power (68) and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas (69). Eckroat logged a bogey-free round, including 3 under through eight holes.
“To me it just tells me I was in control of the ball today,” Eckroat said. “Made a couple nice par saves. Just definitely just good momentum going into tomorrow knowing that I have control of my golf ball right now.”
Many golfers are feeling good about their position.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Kitayama said. “… Just hopefully get some more putts to drop.”
Eckroat was a relatively early finisher, but stayed near the top as scores evened out across the afternoon.
“You get that anxiety and the rush,” Eckroat said. “Obviously there is a lot going through your brain and you just try to focus on the shot and do the best you can.”
Because of concerns about stormy weather later in the day, tee times were moved up, golfers were grouped in threesomes and the first and 10th tees were used as starting points.
— Field Level Media
