The 2025 John Deere Classic’s “Moving Day” showcased a dramatic turn of events, with gusty winds making scoring difficult.
At one point, eight players were tied for the lead, but as the final groups made their way around TPC Deere Run, five players distanced themselves from the rest of the field, with defending champion Davis Thompson emerging at the top.
Thompson’s Bid for Back-to-Back Victory
Davis Thompson, the reigning champion, is looking to become the first player to win consecutive titles at TPC Deere Run since Steve Stricker, who won three straight years from 2009-11.
Thompson had a bit of a bumpy start with a couple of bogeys on the front nine, but he found his rhythm on the back, going 4-under, including back-to-back birdies to close out his round with a 67. His performance propelled him to a solo lead at 15 under, putting him in a strong position to defend his title.
Max Homa and Other Contenders Close Behind
Right behind Thompson is a group of four players who will look to disrupt his repeat bid. Max Homa, currently at 14 under, is the headliner of that pack. Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner, is seeking his first win in over two years. He has struggled in recent seasons, changing his swing, equipment, and even his caddie.
But this week, Homa has shown glimpses of his old form, highlighted by his top-five ranking in strokes gained off the tee. Despite his solid driving and iron play, Homa struggled on the greens during Saturday’s round, unable to make much from distance in the windy conditions. However, he’s still within striking distance, and his confidence is growing as the tournament progresses.
Alongside Homa, David Lipsky, Emiliano Grillo, and Brian Campbell are all tied at 14 under, just one stroke behind Thompson. Lipsky had held a share of the lead for much of the day before being overtaken by Thompson, while Grillo and Campbell finished strong with birdies on the 18th hole to move into the tie for second.
The Rest of the Field
Further back in the standings, four players sit at 12 under, including Kurt Kitayama, Austin Eckroat, Seamus Power, and Camilo Villegas. Kitayama’s 66 was the round of the day, but he will need to produce another strong performance to challenge the leaders.
At 11 under, Matt Kuchar, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Cameron Champ, and Kevin Roy will need a big Sunday to close the gap and contend for the win.
Thompson’s Advantage Heading into the Final Round
As we head into Sunday’s final round, Thompson appears to be in a comfortable position. The winds, which made scoring difficult on Saturday, are expected to be less of a factor, and the rain overnight should create favorable conditions for low scores.
With Thompson’s confidence from last year’s victory and his solid performance this week, he is well-positioned to secure a repeat win.
2025 John Deere Classic Updated Odds and Picks
Davis Thompson (9/4)
Max Homa (9/2)
Emiliano Grillo (5/1)
Brian Campbell (9/1)
David Lipsky (10/1)
While Homa is expected to be the most popular pick going into Sunday, Thompson’s back-to-back bid is compelling, especially given his steady play this week.
Campbell, though lacking the distance off the tee compared to Thompson and Homa, has been consistently strong with his irons and putting, making him a solid pick at 9-1.
