Latest news with #RocketMortgageClassic
NBC Sports
23-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Familiar face subs in as Bryson DeChambeau's caddie for LIV Golf U.K.
Bryson DeChambeau has a familiar face on the bag this week. With his regular caddie, Greg Bodine, taking this week's LIV Golf U.K. event off because of a personal matter, DeChambeau called former longtime looper Tim Tucker from the bullpen, according to Golf Digest's Evin Priest. Tim Tucker is on the bag for Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf UK. His caddie from early pro days to 2021 is just filling in for Greg Bodine, who is off this week for a personal matter. Tucker caddied for DeChambeau from June 2016 to June 2021 with about a half-year split from late 2017 to early 2018. When they parted ways for good on the eve of the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic, DeChambeau's agent, Brett Falkoff, called the decision 'mutual.' Tucker would later admit, 'I made a big mistake in my timing with it.' At the time, Tucker stepped away from caddying to run his luxury shuttle service at Bandon Dunes. He's since caddied for several players, including Kurt Kitayama for Kitayama's win at the 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rising PGA Tour Star Suddenly Withdraws From John Deere Classic Before Final Round
Rising PGA Tour Star Suddenly Withdraws From John Deere Classic Before Final Round originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The third round of the John Deere Classic unfolded on Saturday, setting the stage for what could be a dramatic finish in Sunday's final round, with several players still firmly in contention. Advertisement Last year's tournament winner, Davis Thompson, surged to the top of the leaderboard at 15-under par after posting a 4-under round. Brian Campbell, Emiliano Grillo, David Lipsky, and Max Homa are all tied for second at 14-under, just one shot back. A recurring theme throughout the tournament, however, has been a wave of unexpected withdrawals. Four players pulled out before the event even began, and since then, Andrew Putnam, Nicholas Lindheim, and Stephan Jaeger have all withdrawn mid-tournament. Now, another surprise exit has emerged: 20-year-old rising star Aldrich Potgieter — who captured his first PGA Tour victory last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic — has withdrawn following his third round. Advertisement Potgieter entered Saturday in contention, but after a disappointing 5-over round dropped him to 4-under for the tournament, he made the decision to withdraw — despite still being in the running for a sizable payday. The 20-year-old rising star from South Africa has quickly made a name for himself on the PGA Tour. In just 20 career appearances, he's already recorded two top-five finishes, three top-10s, and one runner-up performance — in addition to capturing his first career win just last week. Aldrich Potgieter reacts to making his putt on the 15th green in a playoff during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament.© Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Fans weren't particularly pleased with the withdrawal, pointing to his poor third-round performance as the likely reason behind the sudden decision to step away. Advertisement "76 at tpc deere run will do that to you," a fan said. Another fan posted, "NOOO." Someone else said, "Maybe mention that on your leaderboard then. He's completely disappeared from it! "This is getting ridiculous @PGATOUR? Why?," one more fan commented. Related: Aldrich Potgieter's Victory Proves Professional Golf's Next Generation Has No Fear This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A Name You Should Know: Kevin Roy's Feel-Good Rise From Medical Sales to PGA Tour Contention
A Name You Should Know: Kevin Roy's Feel-Good Rise From Medical Sales to PGA Tour Contention originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kevin Roy has waited a long time for moments like these. As Saturday's third round concluded at TPC Deere Run, the 35-year-old found himself tied for 10th place, just four shots behind the leaders heading into Sunday's final round of the John Deere Classic. Advertisement For most PGA Tour professionals, such a position might feel routine. For Roy, it represents the culmination of a journey that has taken him through the depths of professional golf's minor leagues, a detour into the corporate world and back to the biggest stage in the sport. Finding His Rhythm at 35 The numbers tell the story of a player hitting his stride at an age when many of his peers are contemplating retirement. Roy currently sits 88th in the FedEx Cup standings and has climbed to 152nd in the world rankings — career-high marks that seemed almost unimaginable just a few years ago. "I am just feeling more and more comfortable out here," Roy said Saturday evening. "I have been swinging it really well for the past few months, recently started working with a new putting coach, and have been working hard on the greens, so it's nice to see what I'm working on paying off some." Advertisement The breakthrough moment came just one week ago at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, where Roy opened with a stunning 62 that tied the tournament record. The round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 17th hole that seemed to encapsulate both his improved play and the element of fortune that often accompanies a player finding his best form. "Yeah, that eagle on 17 was a bonus," Roy recalled with a smile. "I had 285 (yards to the) pin there and we hit a 5-wood, my 250-260 club, so I was very surprised that it went long over the green. I had a decent lie and knew that if I just hit a high soft shot, it would roll to the cup. Right when I hit it, I knew it was going to be a good shot. Obviously a bonus it went in." That magical moment helped propel Roy to a T-8 finish in Detroit, his second top-10 result of the season and fourth of his career. In just 49 PGA Tour starts, he has now doubled his career total of top-10 finishes. Kevin Roy, right, talks with his caddie during the second round of the Rocket Classic at the Detroit Golf Club on June 27, David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Detour That Saved His Career Roy's motivation stems partly from a journey that nearly ended before it truly began. In 2017, facing mounting credit card debt and frustrated by poor play, Roy made the difficult decision to step away from professional golf. He took a job in medical sales and worked at Bellevue Country Club, trading the uncertainty of tournament golf for the stability of a regular paycheck. Advertisement "I do think stepping away was great for me," Roy reflected. "I was kind of burned out from playing so poorly for a while, and racking up credit card debt wasn't very fun either. I realized after a few months that golf is what I wanted to do, and I had the support from my family to give it another shot." When he returned to professional golf, Roy approached it differently. "I focused on what I needed to do to become a great player," he said. "I got into the gym, started practicing with a 'purpose' and really went all in on trying to become an elite golfer." Following in His Father's Footsteps That support system has been crucial throughout Roy's career, particularly from his father, Jim, who competed on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. The elder Roy's experience in professional golf provided a unique perspective on the challenges and demands of life on tour. Advertisement "My dad has been with me throughout my entire career, even when I stepped away," Kevin Roy said. "His words were, I just want whatever is best for you, whether that's playing pro golf or in the corporate world. He also understands how hard golf is, since he's been through it. The best advice he's ever given me was 'value par' and to become amazing from 150 yards and in." The father-son bond was on full display at the 2018 U.S. Senior Open, where Roy served as his father's caddie, providing a different perspective on the professional game and reinforcing his desire to compete at the highest level. College Connections and Motivation Roy's college years at Long Beach State also provided him with a front-row seat to elite-level golf development. He was teammates with Xander Schauffele for one year, witnessing firsthand the work ethic and talent that would eventually propel Schauffele to major championship victories. Advertisement "I played one year with Xander at Long Beach. We still keep in touch, yeah, and I'll see him occasionally out on tour," Roy said. "I knew Xander was going to be a stud the first time I ever played with him. It also got me motivated to get better and keep grinding while I was on the mini tours to get out there and play with him on tour." The Mental Game Breakthrough Roy's statistics this season paint the picture of a player who has found consistency across all aspects of his game. He ranks third on tour in scoring average at 69.36 and fifth in par-4 scoring, numbers that reflect both improved ball-striking and better course management. "My stats have been getting better and better," Roy noted. "I would say I needed to improve mostly with my wedges, short game and putting, so I've been focusing a lot on those areas." Advertisement The mention of mental coach Brian Cain highlights an often-overlooked aspect of Roy's transformation. While technical improvements have certainly played a role in his recent success, the mental side of the game has been equally important. "I certainly struggled with self-belief. Brian Cain has been a huge part in getting me to believe in myself," Roy acknowledged. The work with Cain has helped Roy develop the mental fortitude necessary to compete at the PGA Tour level, where the margin for error is razor-thin and confidence can be the difference between making cuts and contending for victories. Looking Ahead: Dreams Within Reach Roy's goals for the rest of the 2025 season are both practical and ambitious. Currently sitting 88th in the FedEx Cup standings, he needs to finish inside the top 100 to secure his playing privileges for the following season. Advertisement "The obvious goal is to finish the year inside the top 100," Roy said. "But you know, I believe I can compete and win out here, so I'm just really going to keep trying to do what I have been doing, keep working hard and see where it can take me. I've got to be honest, I haven't really felt any pressure from playing good. I'm just really enjoying it and having fun." That perspective — treating his current success as a bonus rather than a burden — may be the key to Roy's continued improvement. After years of struggling to establish himself on tour, he has found a way to embrace the moment while maintaining the hunger that drove him back to professional golf. For players currently facing similar struggles, Roy offers hard-earned wisdom born from his own experiences in golf's wilderness years. "I would tell them to keep chasing their dream," he said. "There will be obstacles, and the journey will have many tough and low points, but when you achieve your goal or fulfill a dream, it makes every low point and challenging time that much better. I'm living a dream playing on the PGA Tour." Advertisement Kevin Roy during the second round of the Valspar Championship on March 22, 2024, in Palm Harbor, Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images Sunday's Opportunity As Sunday's final round approaches at TPC Deere Run, Roy finds himself in unfamiliar but welcome territory. Four shots behind the leaders with 18 holes to play, he has a legitimate chance to capture his first PGA Tour victory — an outcome that would cap one of the most unlikely and inspiring comeback stories in recent memory. Whether or not he closes the gap on Sunday, Roy has already accomplished something perhaps more valuable: He has proved to himself and others that it's never too late to chase your dreams, even when the path seems impossibly difficult. At 35, with his best golf seemingly still ahead of him, Kevin Roy is living proof that sometimes the longest journeys lead to the most rewarding destinations. Advertisement Related: Gary Player Reflects on Royal Portrush's Return to The Open Championship Related: A True American Story: LPGA Celebrates 75 Years Related: Doug Ghim Reaps Rewards With a Remarkable Round at John Deere Classic This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
RTÉ News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Brian Campbell wins second title of year in John Deere playoff
Brian Campbell's par on the first playoff hole gave him his second career victory on the PGA Tour, winning the John Deere Classic, while the wheels fell off Seamus Power's challenge. Argentina's Emiliano Grillo scrambled on the extra hole, the 18th at TPC Deere Run, and Campbell's steady approach was enough. Campbell, who also won the Mexico Open at Vidanta World in a February playoff, and Grillo, bidding for his third PGA Tour triumph, both posted 4-under-par 67s to finish regulation at 18-under 266. Campbell is the sixth multiple winner on the tour this year. Campbell's double-bogey on the 15th nearly cost him, but he rolled in a birdie two holes later. David Lipsky, who was in the final pairing, hit his tee shot into the rough on the 18th and missed a par-saving putt from 15 feet away, dropping out of a would-be spot in the playoff with his 68. He tied for third place with Kevin Roy (65). Lipsky's bogey on the 15th put his title chances in jeopardy, but an eagle 3 on the 17th - coming on a putt of less than 8 feet - pushed him into a share for the lead. Ireland's Power had started the day well in contention, just three shots off the lead as the final round started. However, a round of 75 which featured three bogeys and two double bogeys was enough to see him drop down the leaderboard and finish 10 shots off the pace. Carson Young (64), Lucas Glover (64), Jacob Bridgeman (64), Matt Kuchar (66), Kurt Kitayama (67) and Max Homa (69) all ended at 16 under in a tie for fifth place. Again, the leaderboard was full of contenders. Seventeen golfers, including amateur Jackson Koivun, ended up within three shots of the lead. Koivun (67), a 20-year-old, was among seven golfers at 15 under. Homa was 3 under for the day through four holes and held the lead at 16 under before an uneven finish. Beau Hossler and Michael Thorbjornsen set the early pace with torrid 63s fort he day's best rounds. Third-round leader Davis Thompson shot 72 and tied for 18th place at 14 under. His fourth bogey of the day came on the final hole. First-round and 36-hole leader Doug Ghim dropped to a tie for 31st place at 11under after his Sunday score of 69. South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter, who won the Rocket Mortgage Classic in a playoff a week earlier for his first tour victory, withdrew prior to the final round.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
John Deere Classic live updates: Leaderboard, odds at TPC Deere Run
Gentleman, start your tractors: The 2025 John Deere Classic started on Thursday in Silvis, Illinois. The par-71 course at TPC Deere Run will play at 7,289 yards and the tournament includes a purse of $8.4M. A year ago, Davis Thompson won the event for his first PGA Tour victory. He was the 24th golfer to make the JDC his first PGA Tour win. He will return to TPC Deere Run to attempt to defend his title. Aldrich Potgieter, who shot 22 under at Detroit Golf Club and took home a win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, is in the field. Here's a look at the action during the opening round: John Deere Classic tee times for Thursday Where to watch, stream, listen John Deere Classic 2025 This is the TV channel, streaming and radio schedule, with Golf Channel, CBS, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, Paramount+ and PGA Tour Radio on SiriusXM all teaming up for the coverage. All times listed are ET. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Odds to win 2025 John Deere Classic Tournament odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday: What is the purse, prize money at John Deere Classic? The John Deere Classic purse is $8.4 million, with $1.512 million going to the winner in addition to 500 FedEx Cup points. Where is the John Deere Classic played? The D.A. Weibring and Chris Gray designed TPC Deere Run is located in Silvis, Illinois. It is a par 71 course that will measure 7,289 yards for the tournament. It is the No. 2-ranked golf course in Illinois in the Golfweek's Best 2025: Top public-access golf courses in every state list.
