SILVIS, Illinois – Davis Stompson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole Saturday, featuring 10 players tied to the lead at one point, giving him a 4-under 67 and a one-shot lead on the much more demanding golf course at the John Deere Classic.
Thompson was one of five players tied up for the lead when Brian Campbell stood on top of the final putt after stopping a 30-foot birdie putt.
His final birdie put him at 198 under 15 under 198 and scored one shot before Campbell, Max Homa, Emiliano Grillo and David Lipki.
The only player not participating in the mix was Doug Gimm, the 36-hole leader. He played the final 10 holes without two bogeys and birdies, shot 74 and pushed him outside the top 20.
Thompson finished with birdie-by-dy, but missed an 8-foot Eagle attempt on the par-5 17th hole. He will be the first player to win consecutively in the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker won three consecutive games between 2009 and 2011.
Also, what is at stake for Thompson is their chance to enter the UK’s Open. Because victory moves him to the top of the alternative list determined by the next world ranking.
But the final 18 holes feel much longer, given that there are so many players in the mix that goes into Sunday.
“I’m happy that tomorrow has momentum,” Thompson said.
Camilo Villegas (69) and Austin Eckroat (67) were among four players in three shots. Matt Kucher (67) and Auburn junior Jackson Kovrung were back in Group 4. Thirteen players were within four shots of the lead.
Of the top 14 players, only Lipski, Kovrun and Kevin Roy have not won the PGA Tour yet. Homa is most accomplished, but he is not only trying to make the PGA Tour playoffs this year, but also trying to pull himself out of the deep slump that put him on the outside.
Even after one of his rare mistakes, Homa was still stable again. He was crossing the road with about 40 yards remaining on the green in par 5 10th place, but escaped with par and took advantage of the scoring hole on the 68 back nine.
Homa was the last winner of the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines in January 2023. He has been scrutinized in his poor form this year for over a year, changing coach, equipment and two caddies.
“Gourf has been extremely boring for me this year. I wasn’t too stressed and I don’t want to be too stressed, so I look forward to the morning butterflies. I’m looking forward to my first tee shot,” Homa said. “I’m happy to be able to feel that again. It’s been a while.”
This was not the same TPC Dear run that gave them a low score in the opening two rounds. The start time was moved to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, combining hot weather and wind to make the green a more robust faster. Additionally, several pins were pushed along the edges, punishing mistakes on the wrong side.
No one shot under 66 in the third round. He had a score of 28, over 65 in the opening round.
“It’s certainly a fun Sunday when a lot of people have the chance,” Kucha said.
One of them is Koivun, who is still four shots, but has the opportunity to make it for the second year in a row with an amateur winning on the PGA Tour. Nick Dunlap won the American Express last January, leaving Alabama to change pros and played a $20 million signing event.
Koivun already has PGA Tour cards guaranteed through the PGA Tour University acceleration program, but has postponed it to return to Auburn.
“It’s obviously very exciting to see what he did a year ago now,” Koivun said. “It’s obviously great to be one of the few (amateurs) to win professional events. At the end of the day, I had to give it my best shot and be happy with the outcome.”