The John Deere Classic Round 1 delivered exactly what fans expected—low scores, big moves, and a packed leaderboard. The PGA Tour stop in Illinois offered perfect scoring conditions, and Doug Ghim took full advantage. With a sizzling round of 62 (-9), Ghim grabbed the solo lead on Thursday.

He made an eagle on the short par-4 sixth from just 91 yards out. Seven birdies followed. No bogeys. Ghim played smart, stayed aggressive, and kept his card clean. He knew the conditions meant someone else could go even lower—but no one did.

Chasers Close Behind

Austin Eckroat and Max Homa are one shot behind. Eckroat started blazing hot with two eagles in the first five holes. He reached -5 in a flash but couldn’t find many birdies afterward. Still, his bogey-free 63 puts him right in the hunt.

Max Homa came out fast too. He birdied four of his first five holes. After making the turn at -5, he added four more birdies. But a bogey on the long par-4 ninth—his final hole of the day—meant a 63 and a share of second place.

Birdie Blitz Across the Field

Scoring was red hot across the board. A total of 102 players shot -1 or better. If this continues, the projected cut after Round 2 will likely be around -3 or -4.

Some FedEx Cup leaders had mixed results. Ben Griffin, the highest-ranked player from the standings, shot an even-par 71. Sungjae Im is at -3. Jason Day struggled and sits at +3.

Michael Kim impressed with a clean 64. Lucas Glover, a past winner here, had four birdies but made five bogeys. His 72 (+1) leaves work to do on Friday.

Recent Winner Stays Hot

Last week’s Rocket Classic winner, Aldrich Potgieter, posted a 67 (-4). He made two eagles but also two bogeys. His form remains strong, and he looks hungry for back-to-back PGA Tour wins.

Denny McCarthy fired a 66. His consistent play continues to raise eyebrows. Zach Johnson, a local favorite and past champion, shot a 69. He’ll need a solid second round to stick around for the weekend.

Tough Day for Some

Stephan Jaeger withdrew after shooting 74 (+3). Thorbjørn Olesen also had a tough round, finishing +3. Adam Hadwin (73), Tom Kim (72), and Nico Echavarria (72) failed to break par.

For full leaderboard, checkout the official PGA Tour website.

Looking Ahead to Round 2

Friday promises more fireworks. With such ideal scoring conditions, players will need to stay aggressive. Leaders must keep their foot on the gas to avoid getting overtaken. The cut line will move fast. Expect birdies and bold plays throughout Day 2 of the John Deere Classic Round 1 action on the PGA Tour.

Video Highlights

The John Deere Classic Round 1 has kicked off with excitement, showcasing some of the finest talent on the PGA Tour. Stay tuned for more low scores, tight battles, and thrilling finishes as the tournament progresses.