Doug Ghim leads John Deere as Rickie Fowler, Max Homa also go low

Doug Ghim made an eagle from the sixth fairway en route to a bogey-free, 9-under-par 62 on Thursday to set the first-round lead at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.
Ghim made four of his seven birdies on the inward nine at TPC Deere Run to head to the clubhouse with a one-shot lead over Max Homa and Austin Eckroat. There have been nine first-time winners on the PGA Tour this season, and Ghim, a 29-year-old native of Illinois, is trying to become the 10th.
Homa had his best round of 2025 after struggling with his game throughout the first six months of the season. He was in line for a 62 of his own before making his only bogey at his last hole, the par-4 ninth.
Eckroat eagled two of his first five holes, first sinking an 11-foot putt at the par-5 second and then holing out from 137 yards at the fifth.
As the afternoon wave finished their rounds, four players were in the clubhouse with a 7-under 64: David Lipsky, Sam Stevens, Justin Lower and past John Deere champion Michael Kim. Rickie Fowler posted a 6-under 65 that featured a 29 on his second nine, the front nine.