While it’s not a Major, it’s not filled with headlining golfers that always pull in the ratings, it IS a great event and the John Deere Classic is already proving that without those big-name golfers, some very great golf is being played. We’ve yet to see the defending champion, Kenny Perry, tee-off, but as of right now we’ve already seen a 66 posted, and we have other golfers still on the course sitting on a first round -6. Impressive.
Dicky Pride Shoots First Round 66
Kicking things off with an absolute bang is a guy that has had arguably the toughest run on the PGA Tour we can think of. His run with the PGA Tour has already included losing his TOUR card, multiple injuries and never seeming to play up to the potential he knew he had in him. Could this first round at the John Deere Classic be the turnaround point for all that? I guess we’ll see, but his 66 has him locked into second place right now, with the current leader still facing 3 holes until he can rest comfortably in the locker room.
Duval’s Woe’s Continue
Another golfer that all eyes had been firmly locked-in on, was David Duval. After his extremely impressive play at the U.S. Open, rumblings started to spread that maybe, just maybe, the David Duval we all used to know and love was back and his caliber of play would do nothing but get better, and better. Unfortunately for all you Duval fans, he’s struggling yet again and is currently on the 17th hole sitting on a disappointing 4-over-par. Yikes.
Kenny Perry Waits to Defend
We’re still waiting on ol’ Kenny Perry to hit the links and try to defend his title here. Will it happen, or will the wave of excitement he’s been riding on fizzle out into whitewash? Not sure yet, but if you’re not tuning in, you’re missing out!
(image via David Cannon/Getty Images)
This one should make for a fairly interesting tournament. While the rest of the world have their eyes fixed on what is happening at the Loch Lomond Golf Club, there is quite a lot to be said about the kind of action we are witnessing at the John Deere Classic. One look at the leaderboard and I must confess I had to take two more looks at it to come to terms with the guys on top. And although the sentimental favourite, or so seems the case at every tournament these days, Kenny Perry, is very much in contention.
But it is good to see Lee Janzen a 65 in the first round. That is what is called turning back the clock a few years. For all that is said about young guns on tour, it does seem that of late, a lot of the old boys have been teaching the youngsters a thing or two!