Kodak Challenge results at the John Deere Classic

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Jul. 10, 2009

The Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players, who must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes to be eligible to win. A player's lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes will be counted. The player with the lowest cumulative score relative to par wins $1 million and the Kodak Challenge trophy.

THIS WEEK'S HOLE: The par-5, 557-yard 17th at TPC Deere Run
DESCRIPTION: Nicknamed the "Stadium" for its terraced hillside that parallels this par-5 hole, the 17th at TPC Deere Run is reachable in two for big hitters, but pros have to perfectly place a tee ball on this slight dogleg left to do it. The green is elevated slightly and guarded in front by bunkers that can taint perspective. In 2008, only 85 of the 293 attempts to reach the green in two strokes were successful. For more on the 17th, click here.

First round

Nathan Green led a host of Kodak Challenge contenders to take advantage of supreme playing conditions on the 17th to move up the Kodak Challenge leaderboard. Green was one of several golfers to reach the 557-yard par 5 in just two strokes. Unable to card an eagle, Green settled for an easy birdie putt and a share of the lead with the Chris DiMarco, who is idle this week. Charley Hoffman, J.J. Henry, Dean Wilson and U.S. Open champ Lucas Glover each birdied the 17th on Thursday to move into a second place tie at 8-under. Henry and Wilson each finished the day tied for second overall at the John Deere Classic behind Lee Janzen and Darren Stiles.

Since the Kodak Challenge captures a golfers best score of a tournament, movement atop the Kodak Challenge leaderboard is far from over. Thursday's birdie recipients can better their Kodak Challenge scores with eagles. And for golfers like Nicholas Thompson, who entered Thursday tied for second at 8-under but lost ground with a bogey, there are plenty of chances ahead for redemption.

2009 round-by-round statistics on the par-5 17th at TPC Deere Run