Doug Ghim Reaps Rewards With a Remarkable Round at John Deere Classic

Yahoo

08-07-2025

Doug Ghim Reaps Rewards With a Remarkable Round at John Deere Classic originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
You know that feeling you get when you are cheering for the underdog to prevail? That's exactly what I feel when watching golfers like Doug Ghim. For seven years, the 29-year-old from Illinois has been quietly putting in the work on the PGA Tour. He has been building a reputation as one of those guys you can't help but root for. And after Thursday's 62 in the opening round of the John Deere Classic, Ghim finds himself somewhere he's never been before: leading a PGA Tour event.
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From Illinois to Augusta National
Talk about a dream come true. Ghim's path to professional golf reads like something out of a sports movie. Growing up in Des Plaines and Arlington Heights, he was just another kid from the Chicago suburbs who fell in love with golf. After graduating from Buffalo Grove High School, he headed down to the University of Texas, where he really started getting noticed.
And what a run he had as an amateur. We're talking about a guy who won the Ben Hogan Award as college golf's top player and earned low amateur honors at the Masters Tournament — you know, just casual stuff. That Masters appearance came after a heartbreaking runner-up finish at the 2017 U.S. Amateur, but honestly, what a way to announce yourself to the golf world.
Ghim's amateur resume is stacked with victories at prestigious events and representing the U.S. at both the Palmer and Walker Cup matches. Then, of course, there was that week at Augusta National where he made multiple eagles and walked away with crystal goblets, the event reward for making an eagle. Those moments at Augusta were pure magic.
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The Professional Reality
Professional golf is tough. Really, really tough. Ghim's amateur success had everyone expecting fireworks once he turned pro, but the reality has been a slow burn thus far. Don't get me wrong, however — his journey has not been unimpressive at all.
In 162 starts on tour, Ghim has been building something special. A runner-up finish at the 2024 Shriners Children's Open wasn't just a good week — it was validation that all those years of grinding were paying off. Sure, he's still chasing that first victory, but watching him get so close was genuinely exciting.
This season has thrown some curveballs his way, with Ghim entering the John Deere Classic ranked No. 124 in the FedEx Cup standings. His best result came at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, where he tied for 11th. It's been one of those seasons where the breaks haven't always gone his way, but that's what makes Thursday's performance so special.
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A Career-Best Round
Sometimes the golf gods smile on you, and Thursday was one of those days for Ghim. His bogey-free 62 wasn't just a career-low round — it was seven years of hard work coming together in 18 beautiful holes. Playing in his sixth John Deere Classic, he finally found that magical something that every golfer spends their career chasing.
There's something really special about Ghim taking the lead at the John Deere Classic. Historically, this event has always been marked by breakthrough moments and feel-good stories. With Ghim, you have a guy from Illinois playing in front of essentially his home crowd.
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You can just feel the poetry setting up for something special this week, can't you? This tournament simply loves crowning first-time winners, and Ghim couldn't fit the bill any better.
The Grinder's Path
Ghim's story is compelling because of his authenticity. In a world where young players sometimes seem to come out of nowhere, claiming multiple victories, Ghim represents something different.
He is an example of persistence and steady improvement. He's the guy who shows up every week and just keeps working, regardless of where his game may be at.
His background adds another layer to his story that makes you want to cheer even louder. As a Korean American player who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, Ghim represents the changing face of professional golf in the best possible way. His journey from Buffalo Grove High School to the PGA Tour shows what's possible when talent meets determination, and his success would mean so much to communities that don't always see themselves represented at golf's highest level.
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The Moment of Truth
With three rounds left at TPC Deere Run, Ghim has the chance to rewrite his story completely. Yes, there will be pressure — that's inevitable. And yes, this season has been challenging, with tour status implications hanging in the balance. But here's what Thursday's 62 tells us: Doug Ghim is ready.
Sometimes, the best stories are the ones that unfold a little more slowly. And if Thursday was any indication, Ghim's story might just be getting to the good part.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.