ESPN Golf: Glover Goes Bogey-Free Through 36 Holes to Lead John Deere Classic at 14-Under

Glover's Precision Keeps Him Atop the Leaderboard

Lucas Glover carded a bogey-free 6-under 65 in Round 2 of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, moving to 14-under 128 and holding a two-shot lead over Lee Hodges (66). Zac Blair sits a further shot back after a 68.

Glover's clean card through 36 holes is the headline stat: five birdies on the back nine combined with zero bogeys speaks to sharp iron play and clutch putting — he holed a 12-footer on his final hole to preserve the round.

Exemption on the Line

The 46-year-old's three-year PGA Tour exemption, earned from back-to-back wins in 2023, expires at season's end. Despite the stakes, Glover kept his focus simple: "I just want to play well again. Two days like this gives me a little belief that it's in there."

Veterans vs. Youth

While the Deere has a reputation as a proving ground for young talent, veterans are stealing the spotlight. Zach Johnson, 50, shot 70 to sit T11 at 8-under.

Among the youth contingent, top amateur Jackson Koivun missed the cut in his pro debut. However, NCAA champion Preston Stout and 18-year-old Blades Brown — both at 7-under 135 and bogey-free entering the weekend — represent the strongest challenge from the next generation.

Jordan Spieth sneaked through on the cut number at 3-under.

Strokeslab Take

Thirty-six bogey-free holes point to strong SG: Putting and disciplined course management from Glover. The weekend battle will hinge on whether Stout and Brown can close the gap with superior SG: Approach numbers — the iron game will decide this tournament.