Clutch birdie gives Thompson 1-shot lead

Defending champion Davis Thompson closed with back-to-back birdies to seize a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour John Deere Classic.

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Thompson, trying to become the first back-to-back Deere winner since Steve Stricker took three from 2009-2011, fired a four-under par 67 to stand on 15-under 198 after 54 holes at windy TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

“Felt good. I was hitting it where I was looking the majority of the day,” Thompson said. “It was tricky. The wind made it tough.

“I was pretty pleased with how things were going. I just wasn’t really scoring well on the front nine but then was able to finish strong. That was nice.”