Birdies were plentiful in Round 1, as TPC Deere Run was yielding plenty of quality chances today. With an average score of just under 69.75, birdies are needed this week – not just wanted. Cameron Davis was the first to get the party started, going out and shooting six-under through the first nine holes with all of that momentum from his win last week! Things would go a bit haywire for him on the back nine, but he had the attention of the golfing world yet again.
Sadly, Davis actually had to turn down an invitation to the Open Championship next week, getting in after the withdrawal of Kevin Na. Since Davis is not a U.S. Citizen yet, and there’s a delay for getting his green card. He did he apply for a green card after he got married, so now he’s not able to travel overseas. It’s a huge let down for Davis, who is playing the best golf of his young career. Plenty of other names are in the mix as well after Round 1 as the action for the John Deere Classic is just getting started!
Be sure to check out John Deere Classic Round 2 Awesemo’s expert PGA DFS Showdown projections and ownership.
PGA DFS Showdown Picks: John Deere Classic Round 2
Previous Round Recap
Morning Wave
While Davis was making the early noise, it was Chez Reavie upping the level of competition. He was able to navigate the easier driving conditions this week at TPC Deere Run compared to last week’s Detroit Golf Club. Reavie’s 3.2 strokes-gained putting is his best round in well over three months with the flat stick, also gaining another 2.5 with his ball-striking. He would be this wave’s leader, as scores would get better throughout the round. Camilo Villegas continued his comeback tour and was able to nab a share of the lead with Reavie. Villegas, however, struggled with the putter but was on fire with his approaches, gaining almost 3.2 on the day.
Notables
Ryan Moore found some form here in Round 1, and like Doug Ghim last week, failed to record an around the green stat. Laying up, or reaching the par 5s in two, and hitting all 18 greens, Moore was solid ball striking and putting in Round 1. As a perfect set-up for his game, Moore will be looking for a big finish this week. Kevin Tway continued his dominance of the 15th hole, a driveable par 4, almost making a hole-in-one a few years ago on it. Today, he put it about nine feet to the hole, making an eagle two. He would use that as his spark to shoot a five-under 66, which put him in the Top-5 from this wave.
Other bombers like Luke List & Cameron Champ, who had been struggling mightily heading into the week, were able to secure their best 18-hole round in some time. Both of those guys finished the day by shooting a five-under 66.
Afternoon Wave
With temperatures warming up in the afternoon, the scores would as well. Sebastian Munoz caught fire on his last four holes, playing the first 14 at four-under and the last four at the same mark. He would set the pace at eight under gaining strokes in all four facets of his game. Chesson Hadley would post the same score a couple of minutes later. He had an incredible day with his irons, gaining over four strokes!
Hank Lebioda would also continue his fantastic form, and even though he failed to birdie the easy 17th hole and bogey the 18th, he would still post seven-under. His putter remained incredibly hot, gaining over four strokes on the day. Russell Henley was also trending toward the seven- or eight-under mark, playing his first 13 holes at four-under and sticking his approach shot to just three feet on the 14th hole. However, a silly three-putt from three feet would push him back. With only one birdie dropping late, he sits four back with an opening-round of 67.
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Round 2 Cut Prediction
Seventy-seven golfers of the 156 shot two-under or better in Round 1, and another 42 golfers sit at either one under or even. Given these two things, I think we trend toward the four-under mark for the cut, and maybe even five-under if things get crazy.
Round 1 Stat Recap
Here are the leaders in strokes gained through one round:
Strokes Gained Tee to Green
- Camilo Villegas
- Sebastian Munoz
- Chesson Hadley
Strokes Gained Off the Tee
- Kevin Tway
- Hudson Swafford
- Patrick Rodgers
Strokes Gained Approach
- Camilo Villegas
- Sebastian Munoz
- Chesson Hadley
Strokes Gained Around the Green
- Ted Potter Jr
- Harry Higgs
- Kramer Hickok
Strokes Gained Putting
- Hank Lebioda
- Nick Taylor
- Luke Kluver
PGA DFS Showdown Picks: Slate Preview
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DraftKings
- DraftKings is offering $20,000 to first place and $70,000 guaranteed for the second-round slate.
John Deere Classic PGA DFS Picks
The scoring was actually easier in the afternoon rounds due to the course being a little wet and heavy in the morning hours. There is also a spot of wind that is scheduled to come in the afternoon, so I don’t think there will be a wave advantage tomorrow.
PGA DFS Picks for Round 2 of The John Deere Classic
- Russell Henley ($9,800) If he makes the three-footer and takes the momentum at the end, Henley is probably in the lead, or much closer to it. While his struggles off the tee are troubling, Henley’s irons are in such good form. If he gets hot with the putter, he’s going to jolt up the leaderboard. Hopefully, that’ll be sooner than later.
- Doug Ghim ($8,000): Ghim continues to impress with his ball-striking. Well, at least with his irons, gaining other two on approaches. Ghim’s putter is also lukewarm, gaining about a half a stroke on the day. Whenever Ghim does that, his tee to green game is very good. It should be no problem for him to stay inside the Top-10 throughout the week.
- Jhonttan Vegas ($8,100) This guy has been much like Ghim, who has been in solid form over the last month. Vegas gained strokes in all four facets during Round 1, showing he’s not just comfortable with his driver. Vegas has done well in these weaker-field scoring events, with his four best finishes coming during those competitions.
Sneaky Pick for the Round 2 Showdown
- Kevin Tway ($6,500) Coming off his best finish of the year last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Tway skilled it with his driver and putter. If he could get the irons to come around, Tway will have a shot at his first top 10 of the season. Sitting at 192nd on the FedEx Cup points list, Tway needs a heck of a run to make the playoffs. Look for him to get started on Friday.
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