Justin Thomas posted a 4-under-par 67 and maintained the lead in the John Deere Classic by one stroke over Johnson Wagner and Tom Gillis after two rounds at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
The 22-year-old rookie made three birdies on the first six holes and added two more on the back nine, recording his only bogey on the 13th hole.
“I played well, got off to a nice start,” said the former University of Alabama All-American. “That made everything a little bit easier. Just kind of took advantage of opportunities I had.
” … I played really well today. I missed some putts, but I hit some really good putts and they just kind of bounced offline a little bit. The greens are soft. Everyone has to deal with it. They get a little bit spiked up. That’s just golf. It happens every week.
“I would’ve liked to get a little bit more on the back nine, but I’m pleased with the birdie on 17 and the up and down on 18. I’m in a good spot.”
Wagner, who has won three times on the PGA Tour but not since the 2012 Sony Open in Hawaii, recorded four birdies on the back nine in a bogey-free 63, while Gillis collected five birdies on the back nine in his 65.
Scott Pinckney holed his third shot from 65 yards for an eagle on the second hole en route to a 66 and was two shots back in a tie for fourth with Daniel Summerhays, who posted four straight birdies through No. 1 in a 66 after starting on the back nine, and Will Wilcox, who carded a second straight 66.
Spencer Levin of Elk Grove totaled 67 and was three strokes behind in a tie for seventh with Bryce Molder, who had a 65, Steve Wheatcroft, who wound up at 66, and Robert Garrigus, who came in at 68.
Jordan Spieth, the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion who won the John Deere two years ago, bounced back from an opening 72 with a 64 that left him five shots behind in a tie for 16th.
Two other former John Deere champions, Zach Johnson (68) and Steve Stricker (69), were four strokes behind in a tie for 11th.
