Zach Johnson trails by one shot with opening 64 at John Deere Classic
ESPN Golf • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 12:31 AM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Zach Johnson, opting to skip three major tournaments, opened with a 7-under 64 at the John Deere Classic on July 3, 2026. His round included an eagle-birdie finish, placing him one shot behind leaders Lucas Glover and Zac Blair, who both shot 63 in the morning session. Johnson, a 50-year-old competing in his first year on the PGA Tour Champions, has already secured two victories this season. Skipping the U.S. Senior Open and the Senior British Open, he will participate in a senior major next week at Firestone. He expressed a strong preference for the John Deere Classic, citing comfort and a longstanding connection to the event.
- •Zach Johnson posts a 7-under 64, one shot off the lead.
- •Lucas Glover and Zac Blair lead with rounds of 63.
- •Johnson skips U.S. Senior Open to focus on the John Deere Classic.
- •He will compete in a senior major next week at Firestone.
- •20 players shot 66 or lower in favorable scoring conditions.
- 2:12 AMESPN Golf — Z. Johnson skips Senior Open, in hunt at Deere
- 12:31 AMYahoo Sports — Zach Johnson skips Senior Open for John Deere and opens with 64 to trail by one shot
"Zach Johnson is skipping three majors for the John Deere Classic, which feels like a major for the Iowa native. Lucas Glover and Zac Blair played in the morning and each posted a 63, a good start for both as the PGA Tour heads into the final two months. Johnson, a 50-year-old in his first year on the PGA Tour Champions and already with two victories, never considered anything but the John Deere Classic even with the U.S. Senior Open in Ohio this week at Scioto.
"Zach Johnson used an eagle-birdie finish to card a 7-under 64 that left him one shot behind Lucas Glover and Zac Blair at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic on Thursday.
Sources
External links- ESPN GolfJul 3, 2026, 2:12 AMZ. Johnson skips Senior Open, in hunt at Deere
Zach Johnson used an eagle-birdie finish to card a 7-under 64 that left him one shot behind Lucas Glover and Zac Blair at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic on Thursday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 12:31 AMZach Johnson skips Senior Open for John Deere and opens with 64 to trail by one shot
Zach Johnson is skipping three majors for the John Deere Classic, which feels like a major for the Iowa native. Lucas Glover and Zac Blair played in the morning and each posted a 63, a good start for both as the PGA Tour heads into the final two months. Johnson, a 50-year-old in his first year on the PGA Tour Champions and already with two victories, never considered anything but the John Deere Classic even with the U.S. Senior Open in Ohio this week at Scioto.
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