Jul. 11, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff
The first groups are ready to tee off in today's second round of the John Deere Classic. Here's how it sets up:
|
| Groups We're Watching |
7:57 a.m. CT No. 10 |
   |
Kenny Perry, George McNeill, David Toms Defending champ Perry is tied for 24th after the first round, while David Toms is in danger of missing the cut.
|
7:57 a.m. CT No. 1 |
   |
Pat Perez, Richard S. Johnson, Brandt Snedeker TOUR winners Snedeker and Perez (T42) are both making comebacks after suffering injuries earlier this season.
|
8:16 a.m. CT No. 10 |
   |
Lee Janzen, Dean Wilson, Patrick Sheehan Leader Janzen is looking for his first victory since the 1998 U.S. Open, while Wilson is T3 after opening with a 65.
|
|
EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Brett Wright previews Friday's second round:
The entire field will play on Saturday at the John Deere Classic after nearly two inches of rain fell on Friday and caused the course to become unplayable. According to PGA TOUR Tournament Director Arvin Ginn, the plan is to play 18 holes on Saturday and then complete the 72-hole event with 36 holes on Sunday. Paul Grogan, the course superintendent at TPC Deere Run, and his crew have been trying desperately to get the golf course in playable condition. Yet, as well as the D.A. Weibring design drains, there was still standing water in many places on Friday afternoon.
The wind picked up on Friday, which will help with the drying process. If this wind continues, it will not only dry the golf course but it will also make it more difficult for the players to hit fairways and greens. Since many of the fairways will have places that are still a little soggy, we can expect to see the casual water rule called into play many times in the second round.
The rough will be thicker, causing players to be less aggressive and even more penalized for missing the fairway. The greens that have been quite fast are now a little slower, so look for players to hit putts on the right line but leave them short. The 36-hole finish on Sunday will test every players endurance, especially with the sun and humidity.
Kenny Perry told me that Sunday will be a tough 36-hole test, but he said, "I will just have to tighten up my shoe laces and deal with it." The 48-year-old Perry may be giving up some years to the average TOUR player, yet he has the advantage of having endured many delays over his long career and knows how to pace himself. Perry will put up a commendable defense of his 2008 John Deere Classic title.
| Stat of the day |
 |
Prior to Thursday, Lee Janzen held the first-round lead/co-lead nine times in 540 career TOUR starts. Out of those nine events he was never able to convert one into a victory. Janzen's last first-round lead was at the 2008 PODS Championship where he finished T10. |
|
|
| The Film Room |
 |
PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry updates the news from Friday at the 2009 John Deere Classic and previews what to watch for on Saturday. Watch it |
 |
Rd. 1 Highlights Lee Janzen sits at the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the 2009 John Deere Classic. Watch it |
 |
Shot of the Day Scott Verplank chips in for birdie on the par-3 7th hole during the first round.Watch it |
|
|
| Thus far at TPC Deere Run |
|
|
|
| Live Essentials |
 Follow every shot with our newest application |
 The only place on the Internet for real-time live scoring |
 Listen to expert commentary on the PGA TOUR Network |
 News, notes, stats and analysis during each round |
|
WEEKLY VERSION: To sign up for a newsletter version of The Starter delivered to your e-mail address, click here.