Davis Thompson wins first PGA Tour title at John Deere Classic

Davis Thompson celebrated his first PGA Tour title with an outstanding performance at the John Deere Classic, setting a tournament record at TPC Deere Run. The 25-year-old secured a commanding four-shot victory with a final score of 28-under par, eclipsing the previous record of 27-under set by Michael Kim in 2018.

Thompson, who shot an impressive 64 in the final round, outpaced rising American stars Luke Clanton (a) and Michael Thorbjornsen, both of whom finished tied for second with CT Pan on 24-under par. Clanton, who achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first amateur to finish in the top 10 in back-to-back weeks on the PGA Tour since 1958, and Thorbjornsen both fired rounds of 9-under 63.

Starting the final round with a two-shot lead, Thompson quickly distanced himself from his competitors, posting five birdies in his first six holes. Despite a bogey on the par-3 12th, his early burst of birdies and a key par save on the 8th hole gave him a solid foundation. A crucial birdie on the par-4 14th restored his four-shot lead, which he maintained to clinch his victory with a record-setting performance.

Thompson’s emotional win was shared with his wife, Holly Grace Robinson Thompson, whom he embraced on the 18th green. Reflecting on his achievement, Thompson expressed his gratitude and relief, telling CBS’ Amanda Balionis, “I love my wife so much. I just tried to stay present all day. Big sigh of relief when that last putt went in.”

This victory came in Thompson’s 63rd PGA Tour start, marking a significant milestone in his career following three runner-up finishes, including two second-place finishes this season at the Myrtle Beach Classic and Rocket Mortgage Classic. He also secured a top-10 finish at the US Open, showcasing his growing presence in major tournaments.

With this win, Thompson joins the ranks of 24 first-time PGA Tour winners at the John Deere Classic and ascends into the top 40 of the world rankings for the first time. His triumph also earned him a spot in the upcoming 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, a qualification he described as “an added incentive this week.”

CT Pan, who shared second place with Clanton and Thorbjornsen, also secured an invite to The Open due to his superior Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) position, compared to his fellow competitors. Pan, ranked 144th in the world before the tournament, capitalized on this opportunity, while Clanton and Thorbjornsen were ranked 599th and 670th, respectively.

Thompson’s victory earned him a $1.44 million prize and garnered praise from CBS analyst and former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch, who likened Thompson’s early career to that of World No.1 Scottie Scheffler.

Meanwhile, England’s Aaron Rai, who started the final round just two shots behind Thompson, fell short in his quest for a maiden PGA Tour title, finishing tied for seventh on 21-under par. Jordan Spieth, a two-time John Deere Classic winner, also faced challenges, finishing outside the top 20 after a final round of 70.

As Thompson celebrates his breakthrough victory, he looks forward to competing on the world stage, beginning with his debut at The Open Championship.