Hadley Maintains Form on Friday Morning After Regaining PGA TOUR Status
Chesson Hadley is making the most of his second chance through two rounds of the John Deere Classic.
Hadley shot a bogey-free 7-under-par 64 Friday to share the early second-round lead with Chad Campbell, who posted a 68. Both players are at 9-under par and in the lead with the afternoon half of the field still to complete their rounds.
Hadley was a PGA Tour regular for three years, but didn’t play well enough to keep his status entering the 2017 season.
But Hadley won the LECOM Health Challenge on the Web.com Tour Sunday to regain his playing privileges on the PGA Tour.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been out here,” Hadley said. “Everyone is so nice. It makes you feel really good. It makes you feel special.”
Hadley’s victory Sunday was his first since the Puerto Rico Open in March of 2014. And he’s carried over his good feelings into another week.
“Winning was excellent,” Hadley said. “And then one day of travel with a family, traveling eight to 10 hours with two kids, that’s a reality check. It reminds me that, “Hey, I’m still a dad, and a husband.’ Golf-wise, I’m in a really good spot.”
Hadley praised the greens at TPC Deere Run, and said the course was in mint condition.
“I feel like I made just about everything I looked at,” said Hadley, who had 29 putts Friday.
Campbell, 43, is playing in his 10th John Deere Classic, and he’s never missed the cut. His best finish is a tie for seventh in 2008.
Campbell is a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, the last victory coming in 2007. He also played on Ryder Cup teams in 2004, 2006 and 2008. That depth of experience is something he leans on.
“Absolutely,” Campbell said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve won, and awhile since those Ryder Cups. But everything you do over the years, you use that to your advantage. Hopefully, I can do that this weekend.”
Kevin Kisner, the highest-ranked player in the Deere field, added a 65 to his opening 69 and is one shot back of Hadley and Campbell. So is Nicholas Lindheim (68-66).
“I hit the ball great, and hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens,” Kisner said. “I gave myself a ton of chances.”
Kisner said the northwest wind at Deere Run was tricky.
“I’ve hit more club into holes than I ever have,” Kisner said.
It was a tough first two rounds for defending Deere champion Ryan Moore, who shot 74-71 and missed the cut. Moore has been sidelined with shoulder injury since playing in the Memorial the first weekend in June.
“My shoulder felt good,” Moore said. “It didn’t bother me the whole time. Unfortunately, I have no excuse for my poor play, except for a little rust. I didn’t do anything terrible. I didn’t do anything good. I didn’t bounce back from my mistakes when I needed to. It was a poor effort.”