Zach Johnson Grabs Early Lead in John Deere Classic 2026 Second Round
The second round of the 2026 John Deere Classic is already producing separation at TPC Deere Run. Zach Johnson carded a pair of birdies in his opening four holes to reach 9 under and take sole possession of the lead.
Many of the first-round co-leaders have yet to tee off, giving the Iowa native a clear window to build on his strong start.
Johnson’s 64 in Round 1 already had fans talking. He eagled the 17th and closed with a birdie. Now he is backing it up when it counts most on Friday morning.
Live Leaderboard Snapshot – Round 2 Underway
Play is in its early stages on Friday, July 3. Several afternoon starters, including Lucas Glover and Zac Blair, are still on the range or just beginning their rounds. Here is how the top of the board looks right now:
| Pos | Player | Total | Today | Thru | R1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zach Johnson | -9 | -2 | 4* | 64 |
| T2 | Lucas Glover | -8 | – | – | 63 |
| T2 | Zac Blair | -8 | – | – | 63 |
| T4 | Lee Hodges | -7 | – | – | 64 |
| T4 | Stephan Jaeger | -7 | – | – | 64 |
| T6 | Davis Riley | -6 | – | – | 65 |
| T6 | Ben Kohles | -6 | – | – | 65 |
| T6 | Patrick Fishburn | -6 | – | – | 65 |
| T9 | Lanto Griffin | -5 | -1 | 6 | 67 |
| T9 | Harry Higgs | -5 | -1 | 5* | 67 |
| T9 | Sungjae Im | -5 | -2 | 5* | 68 |
Sungjae Im has already picked up two birdies in his first five holes. Harry Higgs and Lanto Griffin also sit inside the top 10 after early red numbers.
Round 1 Recap: Glover and Blair Set the Pace
Thursday belonged to the morning wave. Lucas Glover and Zac Blair both posted clean, bogey-free 63s to share the first-round lead at 8 under. Glover called it one of those days where everything felt right. Blair simply kept the ball in play and let the putter do the rest.
Zach Johnson, Lee Hodges, and Stephan Jaeger finished one shot back. Johnson’s eagle-birdie finish on the back nine gave the large local crowd plenty to cheer about. The 7,327-yard, par-71 layout at TPC Deere Run played firm but fair under mostly sunny skies.
Johnson’s Local Connection Fuels Strong Start
This event has always meant more to Zach Johnson. The Iowa native treats the John Deere Classic like a major. He skipped other big events this week to be here, and the decision is paying off early.
You could sense the extra energy when Johnson stepped to the first tee. His early birdies came from sharp iron play and confident putting. The course knowledge shows. Johnson knows where the trouble lurks and which angles open up the best birdie looks.
The mild conditions — temperatures in the low 70s with light north winds — have helped scoring so far. Afternoon players will face similar weather, but the wind could pick up slightly as the day goes on.
Key Names and Storylines to Follow
Jordan Spieth is in a featured group and has history at this tournament. He will look to build momentum after a mixed opening round. Ben Griffin, the highest-ranked player in the field, sits just outside the top 10 and remains a serious threat.
Amateur Preston Stout is hanging around at 5 under. Jackson Koivun, fresh off his college career at Auburn, is making his professional debut and has already shown flashes of the ball-striking that made him a standout.
The charity side of the week continues to stand out. Birdies for Charity has raised millions for local causes over the years. Fans love that the tournament gives back in such a direct way.
What Comes Next
Glover and Blair will begin their second rounds shortly after 11:30 a.m. ET. Both need quick starts to keep Johnson from pulling away. The cut should fall around even par or 2 under, meaning several big names will need to move up the board before the weekend.
Saturday brings the third round plus a concert from Carrie Underwood. Sunday wraps things up with Old Dominion on stage after the final putt drops. The atmosphere at TPC Deere Run always feels like a midsummer festival with serious golf mixed in.
Johnson has the early advantage. The rest of the field now has to chase.
