As the 2025 PGA Tour season progresses, the John deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, delivered a dramatic third round, setting the stage for a captivating Sunday finish. Defending champion Davis Thompson holds a narrow lead after 54 holes, navigating challenging conditions that saw scoring averages climb higher than typical for this venue. The leaderboard is tightly packed, with several seasoned contenders and rising stars poised to challenge for the title in the final round.
Defending Champion Davis Thompson Takes the Lead
Davis Thompson, who claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory at this event last year, finds himself back in familiar territory. He finished saturday’s third round at 15 under par (198 total), securing the solo 54-hole lead. Thompson birdied his final hole to edge ahead of a congested chasing pack. This marks the same position he held entering Sunday a year ago, fueling hopes for a rare repeat victory. Thompson is aiming to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back John Deere Classic titles, a feat last accomplished by Steve Stricker (2009-2011).
Despite having a relatively quiet season with only two top 10 finishes prior to this week, Thompson feels his game is trending positively, mirroring his form leading up to his 2024 win. His third-round 67 included a strong back nine, where he carded four birdies after a mid-round dip. Staying in the local “Trophy House,” known for hosting recent champions, Thompson is focused on strategic preparation for Sunday, reviewing weather forecasts and pin positions. He plans to avoid scoreboard watching early but will monitor his position on the back nine.
The Chasers: A Star-Studded Group One Shot Back
Just one stroke behind Thompson, a formidable group sits tied for second place at 14 under par. This collection of talent includes multiple PGA Tour winners and seasoned competitors ready to make a run on Sunday. The players sharing the second position are David Lipsky, Emiliano Grillo, Max Homa, and Brian Campbell.
Max Homa: Embracing the Pressure
Six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa is a prominent name in the chasing group. Homa shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday, a solid score considering the blustery conditions. He openly admitted his season has been frustrating (“boring”) due to a lack of contention and missed cuts, describing a “downward trajectory” since his last win at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Homa is eager to experience the competitive “stress” and “butterflies” that come with vying for a title, viewing this Sunday as a “golden opportunity” to break his winless spell. His game off the tee remains sharp, ranking T2 in Driving Accuracy and 8th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee on Saturday.
Other Contenders Just One Back
Alongside Homa, David Lipsky and Emiliano Grillo bring significant experience. Brian Campbell, an alum of the University of Illinois like past champion Steve Stricker, made a notable charge late Saturday. Campbell closed his round with back-to-back birdies on holes 17 and 18, the final putt dropping from over 36 feet to join the tie for second.
Within Striking Distance: Players Two Shots Back
The congestion doesn’t end one shot behind the leader. Four more players are tied for sixth place at 12 under par, only two shots off Thompson’s pace. This group includes several past PGA Tour winners, adding further intrigue to the final round. Kurt Kitayama posted the lowest score of the day on Saturday with a 5-under 66 to jump into this tie. He is joined by Austin Eckroat, Seamus Power, and Camilo Villegas. With 20 players within five shots of the lead, the final round promises plenty of movement on the leaderboard.
Notable Performances and Storylines
Beyond the very top, Saturday delivered several other compelling narratives and highlight moments that shaped the tournament landscape heading into Sunday.
Amateur Jackson Koivun’s Impressive Run
One of the most compelling stories is the performance of amateur Jackson Koivun. The Auburn University standout currently sits in a tie for 10th place at 11 under par, just four shots behind the leader. Koivun, who already earned his PGA Tour card via his NCAA performance but is deferring turning professional until 2026, has shown remarkable composure. This is his sixth career PGA Tour start, and he’s made the cut in two previous starts this season. Koivun is friends with Nick Dunlap, the most recent amateur winner on Tour (2024 American Express), and is inspired by his success. An amateur victory here would add another unique chapter to the John Deere Classic’s history, an event known for first-time winners (24 since 1970) and historical milestones like Jordan Spieth’s win as a teenager in 2013 or Paul Goydos’s 59 in 2010. Koivun is focused on climbing the leaderboard and believes he can contend with a strong final round.
Hot Rounds and Highlight Shots
Veteran Matt Kuchar also made a move on Saturday, firing a 4-under 67 to get to 11 under par overall. Kevin Roy was a “hot golfer” early Saturday, seeking his first Tour win in his 50th start. Roy had birdied his first four holes and briefly held the lead, building on recent strong form that included a T8 finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The week has also featured spectacular hole-outs; Doug Ghim has notably holed out five times, including two eagles, while Joel Dahmen added an eagle hole-out on Saturday.
Missing the Cut
While many players thrived, the challenging conditions meant several notable names missed the cut after Friday’s second round. Players failing to advance included Tom Kim (4 under), Ben Griffin (3 under), Jason Day (2 under), and Sungjae Im (2 over).
Looking Ahead to the Final Round
Saturday’s conditions at TPC Deere Run were significantly influenced by swirling winds and firm, crispy greens. This resulted in a scoring average of 69.620, the highest for a Saturday round here since 2015, and the leader’s score being the highest at this stage since 2009. However, the forecast for Sunday predicts a change. Anticipated thunderstorms are expected to soften the course considerably, and winds are projected to be much lighter, potentially half the strength of Saturday’s 15-16 mph gusts. This shift could make the course more receptive to lower scores, potentially returning it closer to its traditional “track meet” reputation for the final 18 holes. Players like Thompson will need to adjust their strategy from navigating firm, windy conditions to attacking a softer layout.
Tournament Details: Purse, Course, Coverage
The 2025 John Deere Classic boasts a total purse of $8.4 million. The champion will receive $1.512 million and 500 valuable FedEx Cup points. The tournament is held at the D.A. Weibring and Chris Gray-designed TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. This par 71 course measures 7,289 yards for the event and is ranked as the No. 2 public-access course in Illinois by Golfweek. Coverage for the final round is available across various platforms, including Golf Channel, CBS, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, Paramount+, and SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the John Deere Classic after the third round?
Defending champion Davis Thompson holds the solo lead at the John Deere Classic after 54 holes. He finished Saturday’s round at 15 under par. He is one shot ahead of a group of four players tied for second place at 14 under par, setting up a tight finish for Sunday’s final round.
How did weather and course conditions affect scoring on Saturday?
Saturday’s third round at TPC Deere Run was played under challenging conditions, including swirling winds and firm, crispy greens. These factors led to higher scores than typically seen at this course, with the field scoring average reaching 69.620, the highest for a Saturday round since 2015. This made getting the ball close to the pins difficult and contributed to the compressed leaderboard.
What is notable about amateur Jackson Koivun’s performance at the John Deere Classic?
Amateur Jackson Koivun is making a strong showing, currently tied for 10th place at 11 under par, just four shots off the lead. Koivun has already secured his PGA Tour card but has chosen to defer turning professional until 2026. His performance is notable in an event known for launching careers, and he is attempting to become one of the rare amateurs to win on the PGA Tour, following in the footsteps of recent amateur winner Nick Dunlap, whom Koivun knows.
With the leaderboard this tight and a potential change in course conditions expected for Sunday, the 2025 John Deere Classic is poised for an exciting and unpredictable final round. Defending champion Davis Thompson faces stiff competition from multiple angles, including seasoned Tour winners and a determined amateur, all vying for the title at TPC Deere Run.
