During Moving Day at the 2025 John Deere Classic, there was considerable excitement as eight players found themselves tied for the lead due to challenging windy conditions. As the final groups navigated TPC Deere Run, five players managed to pull ahead, with last year’s champion regaining the top position.
Davis Thompson aims to become the first player to win back-to-back titles at TPC Deere Run since Steve Stricker accomplished the feat three times from 2009-2011. Thompson had a shaky start with a couple of bogeys on the front nine, turning at even par. However, he found his rhythm on the back nine, finishing 4 under and closing with consecutive birdies for a round of 67, putting him in sole possession of the lead at 15 under.
Trailing Thompson is a quartet of players eager to disrupt his repeat victory. Among them, Max Homa stands out at 14 under, seeking his first win in over two years. Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner, has spent recent seasons refining his game, from his swing to his equipment, amidst inconsistent performances. This week, however, he seems to be finding joy on the course once again.
Following an impressive first-round score of 63, Homa emphasized his strong tee shots, which have continued into the third round. He ranks among the top five in strokes gained off the tee and has combined that with solid iron play, positioning himself well for a potential win. However, he will need to improve his putting, as he struggled from distance on Saturday. Regardless, being among the final tee times in Round 4 is a promising sign for Homa.
Alongside Homa in the pursuit of Thompson are David Lipsky, Emiliano Grillo, and Brian Campbell. Both Grillo and Campbell secured birdies on the 18th hole to tie for second, while Lipsky, who shared the lead for most of the day, was overtaken by Thompson late in the round. With the final groups finishing strong, the players tied for fifth have a two-shot gap above the next competitors on the leaderboard at 12 under.
The Leader
1. Davis Thompson (-15): Last year, Thompson secured his victory with a final-round 64 as the 54-hole leader, winning by four strokes. Those chasing him will need to believe he can handle the pressure again after such a composed performance in the previous year. The winds are expected to be less of a factor on Sunday, and the rain forecasted this evening should create favorable scoring conditions for the final round.
Contenders
T2. Max Homa, David Lipsky, Brian Campbell, Emiliano Grillo (-14)
T6. Kurt Kitayama, Austin Eckroat, Seamus Power, Camilo Villegas (-12)
T10. Matt Kuchar, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Cameron Champ, Kevin Roy (-11)
Given the anticipated scoring conditions, it’s unlikely anyone more than four strokes off the lead will clinch the win. It seems likely a player from the leading group will produce a low score to apply pressure on Thompson. Homa demonstrated his potential with a 63 earlier in the week and has been performing exceptionally off the tee. If he can convert opportunities from 10-15 feet, he could secure his seventh career win.
