SILVIS – Hayden Springer had some fireworks for the crowds at the John Deere Classic. His opening round was highlighted by eight birdies and two eagles during his tournament debut, as the PGA TOUR rookie signed for a 12-under (59). He’s the 13th different player (14 times) to shoot a sub-60 round on the PGA TOUR. Jim Furyk is the only player with 58 and 59.
Springer’s round included: Hitting 10-of-14 fairways, 14-of-18 greens in regulation and 21 total putts (sank 112’ 6” of putts).
His career-low round on TOUR came in his 19th start. His previous best was an 8-under (64) during R1/2024 American Express.
Finland’s Sami Valimaki carded a 10-under (61) in his first John Deere Classic start, good for solo-second. His PGA TOUR stint comes after earning exempt status to the gig by way of the Top 10 in the 2023 DP World Tour Eligibility Ranking category, seeks a second Top 10 of the season after finishing second at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.
Following last week’s T6 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Eric Cole (3rd/-9) is making his third John Deere Classic start (MC/2021, T42/2023). His opening round (62) fell a stroke shy of his career-best (61/R3/2023 RSM Classic).
The 2013 and 2015 John Deere Classic champion Jordan Spieth sits T90 after an opening-round 2-under (69). In successful rounds on his way to winning, Spieth opened with a 1-under (70) in 2013 and even-par (71) in 2015.
John Deere Classic | Leaderboard After 18 Holes
1 Hayden Springer 59 (-12)
2 Sami Valimaki 61 (-10)
3 Eric Cole 62 (-9)
T4 Four players 63 (-8)