Davis Thompson wins PGA John Deere Classic in record fashion
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
American Davis Thompson fired a seven-under par 64 to finish on a 72-hole tournament-record of 28-under 256 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON – Davis Thompson birdied five of the first six holes and cruised to a record-setting four-stroke victory at the John Deere Classic on July 7 for his first PGA Tour title.
The American fired a seven-under 64 to finish with a 72-hole tournament record of 28-under 256 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. He broke the old mark of 27-under set by American Michael Kim in 2018.
Thompson followed his sizzling start with back-to-back birdies at the ninth and 10th holes, then answered his lone bogey at No. 12 with a birdie at No. 14 and parred his way into the clubhouse.
“I just tried to stay present all day. When that putt finally went in, just a big sigh of relief,” Thompson said.
Chinese Taipei’s Pan Cheng-tsung (64), American Michael Thorbjornsen (63) and US amateur Luke Clanton (63) shared second on 260. Americans Ben Griffin (62) and Carson Young (63) were another stroke adrift.
In his 63rd PGA start, Thompson took his first trophy after a runner-up finish on June 30 in Detroit, another in May at Myrtle Beach and one in 2023 in the California desert.
“It’s great. I’ve been working hard this year,” said the 25-year-old. “It was OK for a while, then I kind of got going this past month. Played well last week and just tried to keep it rolling this week, and I was able to get the win.”
Thompson and Pan, the top two not already qualified for the July 18-21 British Open, earned a berth for the Major at Royal Troon. Pan took a spot by having a higher ranking than Clanton or Thorbjornsen.
“Qualifying for the Open was just an added incentive into this. The goal was to win the golf tournament after getting here this week and I got off to a great start and was able to finish it off,” said Thompson, who rose to world No. 38 from No. 70 after the win.
His rental house during this tournament is the same one used by 2023 John Deere winner Sepp Straka of Austria and 2022 champion J.T. Poston. Thompson even has the same bedroom Straka used.
It might be only luck, but Thompson is not planning on giving up his spot in the “Trophy House” even though it comes with an expensive tradition.
“Definitely not. I have to pay for the whole house now, which is unfortunate, but I’ll gladly write the cheque for that,” he said.
Clanton did not qualify for Troon, but he did become the first amateur since Billy Joe Patton in 1958 to finish in the top 10 in PGA Tour events in back-to-back weeks.
“It was good for sure,” said the 20-year-old. “I mean, we came into the week with pretty high expectations, I guess you could say after last week. I think I kind of reached that expectation for sure.
“Of course you want to win. But again, to do what I did out there today was awesome. It’s just a blessing to be here, man. It’s unreal to make a birdie on the last hole and do all that.” AFP
