Key facts
- Zach Johnson shot a 64 in the first round of the John Deere Classic.
- Lucas Glover and Zac Blair are tied for the lead after shooting 63s.
- Johnson chose to play in the John Deere Classic instead of the U.S. Senior Open.
- Johnson is in his first year on the PGA Tour Champions and has two victories.
- Stephan Jaeger and Lee Hodges also shot 64s.
Zach Johnson opened the John Deere Classic with a 7-under 64, placing him one shot behind leaders Lucas Glover and Zac Blair. Johnson, who is in his first year on the PGA Tour Champions and has already secured two victories, opted to play in the John Deere Classic over the U.S. Senior Open. He made a strategic decision to skip several majors, including the British Open and Senior British Open, to avoid playing four consecutive weeks. Johnson's round included a 45-foot eagle on the par-5 17th and a closing birdie. Glover and Blair, both outside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup, posted their 63s earlier in the day. Stephan Jaeger and Lee Hodges also carded 64s, while Jordan Spieth finished with a 69. NCAA champion Preston Stout, now the world's No. 1 amateur, shot a 64 in his first event since turning pro, while Jackson Koivun struggled in his professional debut with a 73.