Date: July 14, 2013
Author: Omnisport

Jones in touch at John Deere

Daniel Summerhays hit a stunning 10 birdies on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead at the John Deere Classic in Silvis as the Australian contingent failed to make too much of an impression at the Illinois course. Summerhays, though, will enter the final round at TPC Deere Run on 19 under overall, after his nine-under 62 catapulted him to the lead on Saturday. Two pairs of birdies sandwiched a bogey to open Summerhays&apos start to the weekend, before a trio of birdies from number 9 through 11 and again from 15 to 17 saw him within sight of a maiden PGA Tour title. Canada&aposs David Hearn (17 under) struck a seven-under 64 to be in contention, while overnight leader Zach Johnson could only produce a four-under 67 to be a shot back on 16 under. Americans JJ Henry and Jerry Kelly are tied for fourth on 15 under, after rounds of six- and five-under respectively. Australian Matt Jones is among a group of three on 14 under, with Nicholas Thompson (seven-under 64) the best performed of the trio on Saturday. Rounding out the top 10 were more locals – Jordan Spieth, Kevin Sutherland and Patrick Reed, all on 13 under – with Spieth and Sutherland both producing back-to-back six-under 65s to be in the mix. Reed, who was level with Johnson and Lucas Glover heading into round three, could only manage a one-under 70. Glover also crashed back to earth after his round of 62 on Friday, carding an even-par 71 to fall seven shots behind leader Summerhays in a tie for 12th. Joining Glover among a pack of five on 12 under was Morgan Hoffmann, who has produced a remarkable turnaround after a poor first day to be a legitimate chance of victory. Hoffmann began his week with a three-over 74, but rounds of 64 and 63 – the latter courtesy of a bogey-free Saturday – has lifted the 23-year-old to the verge of his third top-10 finish in four events. Steven Bowditch was the next best Australian on nine under (equal 32nd) while compatriots Rod Pampling and Stuart Appleby were two shots further back on minus seven in a share of 45th position. Meanwhile, Sweden&aposs Henrik Stenson leads the way on 16 under going into the final round of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. Stenson, who has seven European Tour wins to his name, produced a round on Saturday that included seven birdies and just one bogey as he moved up five to top the leaderboard. The immediate chasing pack consists of four players, with America&aposs Phil Mickelson, England&aposs John Parry, South Africa&aposs Branden Grace and Denmark&aposs JB Hansen all tied for second on 14 under. Overnight leader Chris Doak lost ground in his bid for glory as the Scot finished one over and fell 11 places to tied 12th. Gareth Maybin and Raphael Jacquelin were two of the biggest climbers of the day, jumping up 40 and 28 places respectively to tie for sixth alongside Peter Uihlein of the USA. The Northern Irishman carded a round of 64 – the joint-best score of the week – as he became the second biggest climber of the day, while the Frenchman&aposs seven under moved him 11 places up the rankings. Englishman Paul Casey, winner of The Irish Open in June, is tied at 12th alongside compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, while Ross Fisher, Chris Paisley and Martin Laird remain in with a shout on 10 under. With a place in next week&aposs Open Championship at stake, there is still everything to play for going into the final day&aposs play on Sunday. The only remaining Australian in the tournament Richard Green is a long way off the pace on three under in a tie for 63rd