Amateur Luke Clanton from Hialeah, Florida, watches his second shot on the 18th hole, Friday July 5, 2024, during second round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He finished at 12 under, tied for fourth. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Davis Thompson, coming off a tie for second in last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, will try to capture his first PGA TOUR victory on Sunday in the final round of the John Deere Classic.
Mr. Thompson, from St. Simons Island, Ga., carded a 9-under -par 62 and has a 54-hole total of -21. He takes a two-shot lead into the final round at TPC Deere Run.
Aaron Rai from England watches his tee shot on the first hole, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day five under par, 19 under for the tournament, tied for second. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
C.T. Pan from Chinese, Taipei, tees off the first hole, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day three under par, 17 under for the tournament, tied for fourth. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Amature Luke Clanton from Hialeah, Florida, gets a fist bump from his caddy after sinking a chip shot for birdie on the 15th hole, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day four under par, 16 under for the tournament, tied for sixth place. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
The gallery watches the ball of Sam Stevens from Wichita, Kansas, as it flies toward the 16th green, Saturday, July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
David Lipsky from Las Vegas, Nevada, chips onto the 15th green, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day three under par, nine under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Eric Cole from Tequesta, Florida, hits his second shot on the 15th hole, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day seven under par, 16 under for the tournament and tied for second place. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Davis Thompson from St. Simons Island, Georgia, hits his second shot from the 15th hole fairway, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He took the lead by the end of the day with a nine under 62, putting him at 21 under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Hayden Springer from Trophy Club, Texas, chips onto the 16th green, Saturday, July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He finished five under for the day, putting him tied for fourth at 17 under. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Jordan Spieth from Dallas, Texas, hits his tee shot from the 16th hole, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day eight under par, 14 under for the tournament PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Andrew Novak from Sea Island, Georgia, chips onto the 16 green from the rough, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day three under par, 14 under for the tournament PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Kevin Streelman from Wheaton, Illinois, hits his second shot towards the 18th green, Saturday, July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day two under par, seven under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
J.J. Spaun from Los Angeles, California, hits his tee shot on the 16th hole, Saturday, July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. He finished the day six under par, 16 under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Michael Thorbjornsen from Wellesley, Massachusetts, is not happy with his chip shot onto the 16th green, Saturday July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He finished at 5 under for the day, 16 under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Michael Thorbjornsen from Wellesley, Massachusetts, lines up his putt the 16th green, Saturday, July 6, 2024, during third round action of the John Deere Classic held at Deere Run in Silvis. He finished at 5 under for the day, 16 under for the tournament. PHOTO CREDIT JOHN SCHULTZ
Four more are at five back, including amateur Luke Clanton.
Mr. Thompson has two runner-up finishes in his Tour career, the last coming last week in Detroit.
“I feel like I am playing well. I just need to keep it going,’’ he said. ‘’My goal is to hit the first tee shot, then the second, and just keep stacking good shots.
“Everybody is hungry. That is what makes it difficult out here. There are a lot of losers every week. You can have good weeks and finish top 10.
Mr. Clanton made birdie on the 18th with a six-footer to finish 54 holes at -17. Mr. Clanton has consistently said he will remain an amateur and return to college at Florida State University, a national golf power.
“I’m having fun just playing golf,’’ Mr. Clanton said. “I’m still a 20-year-old kid in college just having fun. All of this, the crowds…is unreal.’’
Mr. Clanton said the week has been another learning experience. He said his play had showed he can compete at Tour level.
“‘Realizing that it is possible to win out here. That is my goal. I’m going to stay with my process,’’ he said.
Two-time JDC champion Jordan Spieth, who hovered around the cut line in the second round, played his way into contention with an 8-under 63. He had a stretch of five straight birdies on the front to turn at 29.
Mr. Spieth, winner here in 2013 and again in 2015, when he won two majors, said after Friday’s round he would need at least 14 under in the final 36 holes to move into contention. He is more than halfway to that goal but he may have to post an even lower number to win.
He posted nine birdies and a lone bogey.
“I was a good day. I did a lot of things well,” Mr. Spieth said. “I improved on yesterday and that was my goal.’
“Tomorrow if I can be as solid as I was today and maybe catch a couple breaks …It would take something flawless to have a chance…but I’ll try and do what I did today.’’
