Maybe a return to the Quad Cities is just what both Davis Thompson and Max Homa needed.
Thompson is once again the man to beat at the John Deere Classic. The tournament’s defending champion birdied four holes on the back nine Saturday, including the 18th, to get to 15-under par. That’s good for a one-shot lead over Homa and three others.
“I was hitting it solid; just didn’t really score great on the front,” Thompson said. “My caddie gave me a pep talk on 10 tee, and I was able to finish strong.”
Each of the four players tied for second at 14-under – Emiliano Grillo, David Lipsky, Brian Campbell and Homa – shot 68s in the third round. Campbell birdied his closing two holes, draining a 36-footer on 18.
“Hopefully going to have one of those tomorrow for something bigger,” Campbell said “But, yeah, just really was kind of far back there right into the wind with a 6-iron in the fairway and gave myself a look. My caddie said I’m due for a long one and sure enough, it went in it. That was awesome.”
Four more players are tied for 6th at minus 12, while the world’s top-ranked amateur and John Deere sponsor exemption, Jackson Koivun, is 11-under par thanks in part to his 64 on Friday.
The 20-year-old Auburn Tiger, whose family home is in Chapel Hill and has ties to this area because his father is a graduate of nearby Moline High School, enjoyed a bit of “hometown” support.
“It’s been great,” said Koivun, who will be returning to school after the summer. “Been a lot of support out here. My dad still has a lot friends out here, so we’ve been going to their houses and hanging out and getting food with them.”
George Koivun has some bragging rights as his son is one of 13 players within four shots of the lead in the heartland.
Sunday storylines include 26-year-old Thompson’s attempt to become the first repeat winner here since Steve Stricker won three in a row from 2009-2011. Meanwhile, Homa seems intent on turning his season around.
With only one top-25 finish this season, coming at the Masters, he arrived having missed seven cuts in 16 starts. Armed with a new caddie and equipment, the 34-year-old Californian has been working on tweaking his swing with a new coach.
“I don’t really use results to determine how I look at my progress. I know I’m doing a lot of great stuff,” Homa said. “Whether we play great or whether we play terrible tomorrow, I think taking what we’ve been doing this week and using that to go forward, I have a long career, so I plan to be in this position a lot more.”
With only five events remaining until the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin, Homa is making the most of his first appearance at TPC Deere Run since 2017, in an effort to salvage a season that saw him arrive this week ranked 122nd. Beginning this year, only the top 70 players will advance to the postseason.
Photo by Justin M. Brown
