🏌️♂️ After the second round of the 2025 John Deere Classic, Doug Ghim maintains the lead at 12-under par, moving closer to his first PGA Tour victory. Defending champion Davis Thompson fired an explosive 8-under 64 to surge into a tie for second at 11-under, while American players dominate the leaderboard with strong performances. The cut was made at -5 under par, with 65 players and ties advancing to weekend play.
PGA Tour 2025 John Deere Classic Round 2 Results - Doug Ghim Leads, American Players Dominate
🏆 Top 10 Leaderboard After Round 2
| Pos | Player | Country | Total | R2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug Ghim | 🇺🇸 USA | -12 | -3 |
| T2 | Davis Thompson | 🇺🇸 USA | -11 | -8 |
| T2 | David Lipsky | 🇺🇸 USA | -11 | -4 |
| T2 | Max Homa | 🇺🇸 USA | -11 | -3 |
| T2 | Brian Campbell | 🇺🇸 USA | -11 | -5 |
| T2 | Emiliano Grillo | 🇦🇷 ARG | -11 | -5 |
| T7 | Si Woo Kim | 🇰🇷 KOR | -10 | -4 |
| T7 | Sam Stevens | 🇺🇸 USA | -10 | -3 |
| T7 | Camilo Villegas | 🇨🇴 COL | -10 | -5 |
| T7 | Cameron Champ | 🇺🇸 USA | -10 | -4 |
⭐ Doug Ghim Pursuing First PGA Tour Victory
Doug Ghim maintained his lead with a steady 3-under 68 in the second round, bringing his total to 12-under par. After his explosive opening round of 9-under 62, he showed more conservative course management while still holding a one-shot advantage.
The Korean-American golfer has been on the PGA Tour for seven years with 160 professional starts but is still seeking his first victory. The John Deere Classic, famous for producing 24 first-time winners since 1970, presents the perfect opportunity for Ghim to break through.
His exceptional driving accuracy (85.7%, hitting 12 of 14 fairways) and green-in-regulation percentage from the first round set the foundation for steady play. Mental management during weekend rounds will be crucial for securing his maiden PGA Tour title.
🇺🇸 American Players Dominating the Leaderboard
🔥 Davis Thompson - T2 (-11, Defending Champion)
The defending champion exploded with an 8-under 64 in the second round, rocketing up the leaderboard into a tie for second place. After a modest 3-under opening round, Thompson showed why he set the tournament scoring record last year.
Thompson's familiarity with TPC Deere Run and his confidence from last year's record-breaking 28-under victory make him the most dangerous pursuer heading into the weekend.
🎯 Max Homa - T2 (-11, Six-Time Winner)
The six-time PGA Tour winner posted his best opening round in years and followed up with solid play to remain in contention. Homa desperately seeks his first victory of the 2025 season.
His experience in high-pressure situations and improved driving performance make him a serious threat for weekend victory.
💪 Other Strong American Contenders
- David Lipsky (T2, -11): Solid 4-under second round keeps him in contention
- Brian Campbell (T2, -11): Strong 5-under Friday performance moves him up
- Sam Stevens (T7, -10): Consistent play with steady 3-under round
- Cameron Champ (T7, -10): Power game suits TPC Deere Run layout
✂️ Cut Line and Weekend Qualifiers
The cut line for the 2025 John Deere Classic was set at 5-under par. From the starting field of 156 players, 65 players and ties advanced to weekend play.
This matches last year's cut line (-5 under), reflecting the aggressive nature of TPC Deere Run. While many predicted either -4 or -6 under, the cut settled at the middle ground.
💔 Notable Players Missing the Cut
- Jason Day (-2): Former world #1's disappointing weekend exit
- Ben Griffin (-3): Two-time 2025 winner's unexpected early departure
- J.T. Poston (-1): 2022 champion's struggle continues
- Lucas Glover (-6): 2021 winner barely makes the cut
🔥 Davis Thompson's Explosive Second Round
Last year's champion fired a scorching 8-under 64 in the second round, vaulting into a tie for second place. After a somewhat disappointing 3-under opening round, Thompson reminded everyone why he owns the tournament scoring record.
Thompson set a new John Deere Classic record last year with his 28-under 256 total, winning by four shots. His course knowledge and confidence from that dominant performance make him extremely dangerous.
Currently just one shot behind Doug Ghim, Thompson is perfectly positioned to become the first back-to-back winner since Steve Stricker accomplished the feat in 2010-2011.
🏆 John Deere Classic Past Winners (Last 10 Years)
| Year | Winner | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Davis Thompson | 🇺🇸 | -28 |
| 2023 | Sepp Straka | 🇦🇹 | -21 |
| 2022 | J.T. Poston | 🇺🇸 | -21 |
| 2021 | Lucas Glover | 🇺🇸 | -19 |
| 2020 | COVID-19 Canceled | - | - |
| 2019 | Dylan Frittelli | 🇿🇦 | -21 |
| 2018 | Michael Kim | 🇺🇸 | -27 |
| 2017 | Bryson DeChambeau | 🇺🇸 | -18 |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth | 🇺🇸 | -20 |
| 2014 | Brian Harman | 🇺🇸 | -20 |
💡 The John Deere Classic has produced 24 first-time PGA Tour winners, the most of any tournament since 1970.
⛳ TPC Deere Run Course Features and Strategy
TPC Deere Run is a par-71, 7,289-yard parkland-style course that opened in 2000. Designed by D.A. Weibring in collaboration with PGA Tour Design Services, the course runs along the Rock River featuring rolling terrain, ravines, hardwood trees, and ponds.
The course is famous for rewarding aggressive play, with winning scores of 20-under or better recorded in 12 of the last 15 years. The relatively large greens and accessible pin positions create numerous birdie opportunities.
🎯 Key Strategic Elements
- Accurate driving: Rough makes green approach more difficult
- Approach precision: Large greens vary in putting difficulty by pin position
- Water hazard management: Strategic element on multiple holes
- Wind reading: Strong winds significantly impact scoring
🔮 Weekend Outlook and Championship Contenders
🥇 Top Contender: Doug Ghim (-12)
The current leader is in the best position for victory based on his steady play. However, the pressure of pursuing his first PGA Tour win and weekend mental management will be crucial factors.
🥈 Strong Challenger: Davis Thompson (-11)
The defending champion's course knowledge and explosive second-round performance make him extremely dangerous. His experience and confidence from last year's record-setting victory are major advantages.
🥉 Veteran Threat: Max Homa (-11)
The six-time PGA Tour winner desperately seeks his first victory of 2025. His opening round was his best in years, and he has the experience to handle weekend pressure situations.
🔥 Dark Horse Candidates
- David Lipsky (-11): Solid ball-striking and course management
- Brian Campbell (-11): Strong Friday performance shows good form
- Sam Stevens (-10): Consistent play throughout first two rounds
- Cameron Champ (-10): Power advantage on longer holes
💰 Prize Money and Points Breakdown
| Position | Prize Money (USD) | FedEx Cup Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | $1,512,000 | 500 |
| 2nd | $915,600 | 300 |
| 3rd | $579,600 | 190 |
| 5th | $327,600 | 110 |
| 10th | $159,600 | 58 |
💡 Total Purse: $8,400,000 / Winner receives 2-year PGA Tour exemption and British Open qualification
🌟 Tournament Significance and Impact
The John Deere Classic holds special significance as the final tune-up before The Open Championship. Many players use this event to sharpen their games or take a final competitive round before heading to Britain.
The tournament's charitable impact cannot be understated, with the "Birdies for Charity" program supporting over 480 local charities. Since its inception, the program has raised millions of dollars for Quad Cities area organizations.
For many players, especially those seeking their first PGA Tour victory, the John Deere Classic represents an exceptional opportunity due to the reduced field strength and course setup that rewards aggressive play.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1. How is the John Deere Classic cut line determined?
A: After the second round, the top 65 players and ties advance to weekend play. This year's cut line was set at 5-under par.
Q2. Why does the John Deere Classic produce so many first-time winners?
A: Held the week before The Open Championship, many top players rest, creating opportunities for emerging talents to compete against a less competitive field.
Q3. What makes TPC Deere Run unique among PGA Tour venues?
A: The course consistently yields low scores due to its accessible design, large greens, and relatively short length, making it one of the most scorable tracks on Tour.
Q4. What are the benefits of winning the John Deere Classic?
A: Winner receives 2-year PGA Tour exemption, British Open qualification, 500 FedEx Cup points, and $1.512 million prize money.
Q5. When do the weekend rounds take place?
A: The third round is Saturday (July 5th) and the final round is Sunday (July 6th), with early morning tee times typical for this event.
📊 Tournament Statistical Analysis
📈 Scoring Trends
- Average winning score over last 10 years: -21.2
- Lowest tournament record: -28 (Davis Thompson, 2024)
- Cut line average (2015-2024): -4.8
- Field depth: 156 players competing for 65 weekend spots
🎯 Key Performance Indicators
- Driving accuracy crucial for approach opportunities
- Putting performance typically determines final position
- Course management more important than pure distance
- Weather conditions significantly impact weekend scoring
🎯 Conclusion and Weekend Viewing Guide
The 2025 John Deere Classic has developed into a compelling narrative featuring Doug Ghim's pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory against defending champion Davis Thompson's bid for consecutive titles. With American players dominating the leaderboard, the weekend promises intense competition.
Given TPC Deere Run's scoring-friendly nature, the low-scoring battle will likely continue through the weekend, with the eventual winner probably finishing around 20-under par or better. Sunday's final round setup, particularly pin positions and weather conditions, will significantly impact the championship outcome.
The tournament's significance extends beyond individual glory, as winners receive valuable exemptions and the opportunity to compete in The Open Championship. For many players, especially those seeking breakthrough victories, this represents a career-defining opportunity.
📺 Weekend Viewing Highlights
- Doug Ghim's quest for his maiden PGA Tour victory
- Davis Thompson's attempt at back-to-back championships
- Max Homa's pursuit of his first 2025 victory
- Multiple American contenders battling for supremacy
- Potential record-low scoring weekend at TPC Deere Run
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