Davis Thompson Leads John Deere Classic After Late Birdie

Davis Thompson made a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole Saturday to break out of a large tie, securing a one-shot lead in the John Deere Classic with a 4-under 67 on a challenging course. He finished at 15-under 198, just ahead of Brian Campbell, Max Homa, Emiliano Grillo, and David Lipsky, all with rounds of 68. Thompson aims to become the first player since Steve Stricker to win back-to-back titles at this event and is also vying for a spot in the British Open, as a victory would place him atop the alternate list based on world rankings. The leaderboard remains highly competitive, with 13 players within four shots of the lead, including notable names like Camilo Villegas, Austin Eckroat, Matt Kuchar, and Auburn junior Jackson Koivun. Meanwhile, 36-hole leader Doug Ghim fell out of contention after a difficult back nine, shooting 74. Thompson expressed optimism about his momentum going into the final round, but the outcome remains uncertain given the tight competition.