Defending champ Johnson, Villegas share lead at Deere Classic
SILVIS, Ill. — It took years for Zach Johnson to feel comfortable at his hometown tournament.
These days, Johnson is more relaxed than anyone in the field — and that’s a major reason why he’s in early position to repeat as the champion of the John Deere Classic.
Johnson shot a 7- under 64 and is tied with Camilo Villegas for the lead after Thursday’s opening round. It was the 17th straight round in the 60s at TPC Deere Run for Johnson, who grew up roughly 100 miles away in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Matt Bettencourt made the field as a late alternate and shot a 6- under 65. He’s tied for second with Daniel Summerhays and Brendon de Jonge.
Boo Weekley is among a host of players at 5- under 66 — including David Hearn of Brantford, Ont. — while threetime tournament champion Steve Stricker is at 4- under 67 heading into Friday’s second round. Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont., fired a 2- under 69, while Brad Fritsch of Ottawa carded a 2- over 73 and Calgary’s Stephen Ames is at 5- over 76.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year. Yeah, I just kind of felt like you’re just leading into the next round here,” said Johnson. “I’ve just gotten so used to just everything about this tournament.”
It wasn’t always that way for Johnson, who finished 69th here five years ago after shooting 75 and 71 in the final two rounds — but he hasn’t touched 70 since.
Johnson, who was second in 2009 and third in 2011 before winning last year, topped his final- round 65 of 2012 by one stroke Thursday. He avoided bogeys while picking up birdies on five par- 4s. PARK BACK IN LPGA HUNT: Top- ranked Inbee Park took a well- earned break last week after winning her third major of the season. She was refreshed for her first round at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic on Thursday in Waterloo, Ont., and quickly picked up where she left off.
Park opened with an impressive 6- under- par 65 under mostly sunny skies at Grey Silo Golf Course. The South Korean was two shots behind American Angela Stanford and Catriona Matthew of Scotland.
Park is looking to become the first golfer to win four straight LPGA Tour events since Lorena Ochoa in 2008.
Park was joined by American Irene Cho, Spain’s Belen Mozo and South Korea’s Hee Young Park and Meena Lee at 65. American Ryann O’Toole and South Koreans Chella Choi, Jenny Shin, Amy Yang and Ji Young Oh were three shots off the lead at 66.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. — one of 10 Canadians in the field — shot a 68. Defending champion Brittany Lang of the U. S. and Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane opened with scores of 69. MICKELSON SOARING IN SCOTLAND: Phil Mickelson eased back into links golf with a 6- under 66 at the Scottish Open at Inverness, leaving him behind two Englishmen after a low- scoring first round on Thursday.
John Parry, ranked No. 471, held the clubhouse lead after a bogey- free 64 and Simon Khan ( 65) also tamed the Castle Stuart course in perfect morning conditions in the Scottish Highlands to finish alone in second place.