Ghim Maintains Lead at John Deere
Doug Ghim enters the third round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, holding onto a one-shot lead after posting a score of 3-under 68 on Friday. This marks his initial lead after 36 holes on the PGA Tour in six years.
Adjusted Tournament Schedule
Due to anticipated thunderstorms on Saturday, officials have altered the tournament schedule. Play will commence from split tees starting at 9:05 a.m. ET. The final group, which includes Ghim (-12), defending champion Davis Thompson (-11), and Brian Campbell (-11), is set to tee off at 10:55 a.m.
Ghim's Strong Performance
Ghim's impressive play included a notable eagle from 179 yards on the par-4 15th hole. Despite encountering a bogey on the final hole, he concluded the day with a combined score of 12-under 130.
Close Competitors
Hot on Ghim's heels are Brian Campbell, David Lipsky, and Emiliano Grillo, each sitting at 11-under. The defending champion, Davis Thompson, remains a key player after recording an impressive round of 63, overcoming challenges that impacted his overall scoring.
Dynamic Cut Line
The cut line generated considerable excitement during the second round. Rikuya Hoshino and Jesper Svensson both achieved birdies on their last holes, which elevated the cut line to 5-under. Brendan Valdes secured a spot for the weekend rounds by making an important birdie on the 18th hole, resulting in the exit of 14 players from the tournament.
Heading into the Weekend
As the competition intensifies heading into the final rounds, there is a tight race with 12 players within two strokes of each other. The stakes are high as they compete for rankings that could lead to invitations to prestigious events such as the British Open. With Ghim and his challengers ready for a competitive finish, spectators can anticipate an exciting conclusion at TPC Deere Run.
Performance Overview
Finland's Sami Välimäki has been eliminated from the John Deere Classic after finishing with a score of 70 on Friday, ending at -2, which was three strokes below the cut line required to progress.
Disappointment in Play
Välimäki expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, highlighting multiple mistakes made during the two rounds. "It was just terrible golf for two days. I don't know what happened, there were so many mistakes," he stated in a recent communication.
Upcoming Competitions
Looking forward, Välimäki is scheduled to compete in next week’s Scottish Open in North Berwick, which is crucial as it is a joint event between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. His recent play has made qualification for the fourth major of the season more difficult, yet he still has a chance to secure a spot in The Open by finishing in the top three in Scotland.
Other Competitors
Another Finnish player, Oliver Lindell, has qualified for The Open, marking his first major tournament appearance. In the previous Detroit event before the John Deere Classic, Välimäki tied for 19th place, earning $117,984 for his efforts.
Current Tournament Status
The John Deere Classic is proving to be highly competitive, with reigning champion Davis Thompson among those contending for the title. He is currently tied for second place with four others, all just one stroke behind leader Doug Ghim, who stands at -12.
