Doug Ghim holed out for an eagle on his way to a flawless nine-under 62 on Thursday, grabbing a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat after the opening round of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.
Still seeking his maiden PGA Tour win after 162 starts, the 29-year-old Ghim provided the day’s highlight at TPC Deere Run when he holed out from 91 yards for eagle at the par-four 6th.
He added seven birdies and no bogeys to take pole position at a venue known for delivering first-time winners – 24 players have claimed their breakthrough victory at the event.
“Any time you can get to 20 under or better, you’re going to have a chance,” Ghim said. “It’s still golf. It’s still a challenge. You have to hit fairways – I hit a lot of them today. I’m just trying to shoot rounds of six under or better and see where that puts me.”
Just behind Ghim at eight-under 63 are Homa and Eckroat, both of whom delivered impressive rounds in their own right.
Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner and former world No 8, has been in a form slump this season with only one top-25 finish. But he showed flashes of brilliance Thursday, firing nine birdies – including four in a row from holes 11 to 14 – before dropping a shot at the par-four 9th, his closing hole, after failing to get up and down from a greenside bunker.
“I just did everything really solid,” Homa said. “I made a ton of putts, kept the driver in good spots, and got to take advantage of my irons and wedges. It always feels good to get off to a good start when you’re struggling.”
Eckroat, who picked up two wins in 2024 but has yet to hit his stride this year, made a strong case for contention. He eagled both the par-five 2nd and the par-four 5th – holing out from the fairway on the latter – and added four birdies in a confidence-boosting round.
“It’s great to have some confidence on the golf course,” Eckroat said. “The ball striking was great today. Holed one out, hit some close. Just fun to be in that position.”
A crowded leaderboard followed the leading trio. David Lipsky, Sam Stevens, Justin Lower and 2018 champion Michael Kim are all tied for fourth at seven-under 64. Another nine players – including Rickie Fowler and South Korea’s Kim Si-woo – are close behind at six-under 65.
With 15 players within three shots of the lead after round one, the race for Sunday’s trophy promises to be wide open.
South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence fired six birdies against a single bogey to post a five-under 66, placing him in a tie for 17th after the opening round.
Compatriots Garrick Higgo and Aldrich Potgieter followed closely with matching four-under 67s to share 24th place.
Dylan Frittelli carded a two-under 69, offsetting four birdies with two bogeys.
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Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
