John Deere Classic 2022 leaderboard: JT Poston hits 65 to keep the four-stroke lead after Round 2

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) – JT Poston took a four-stroke lead over the weekend in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, after opening 9 under 62 with 65 on Friday at TPC Deere Run.

Coming out of a second-place draw last week in Connecticut after also opening 62, Poston was trailed 15 under with a birdie in par 4 at 13th and leveled the last six holes in the afternoon round.

“I feel great,” Poston said. “My last few laps here went very well back last week, so try and keep that momentum going and do what I’m doing. Don’t change anything and just need to keep looking good when they come in. And when I don’t have a good figure or don’t feel good about it, just be smart about it.”

Poston surpassed the tournament record of 36 holes set by Steve Stricker in his 2010 win.

Denny McCarthy is second in 11th under 65, also playing in the afternoon after rain delayed the game in the morning.

Christopher Gotterup, a former Rutgers player who played in the sponsor exemption, had a 67 to match Matthias Schwab (65), Emiliano Grillo (64) and Chris Naegel (66) at 10 years old.

“It was an exciting day,” Gotterup said. “Definitely a little more ups and downs day than yesterday where I had more cruise control.”

Poston won the 2019 Wyndham Championship for his only PGA Tour title. Last week at the Visitor’s Championship, he went on to open 62 with rounds of 70, 67 and 64 to finish two strokes behind Xander Schauffele.

“Last week, one thing I think I learned after playing well on Thursday was to try to keep the pedal down,” Poston said. “I think this golf course could bring in some more birds than last week, but at the same time, you have to go out there and hit some shots to stay aggressive. I did it, that’s great.”

Iowa native Zach Johnson, the 2012 winner, is four points behind after opening 69-69 in his 20th straight start in the event.

“Today is much easier to manage and do,” says Johnson. “Yesterday, I probably played better overall.”

Defending champion Lucas Glover missed an opportunity due to a hit, shooting 74-66.

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