Welcome to Playing Through’s morning ritual, Golf Talk Today.
Each morning on “Golf Talk Today,” our staff discusses various elements of the PGA Tour, LPGA, LIV Golf and more.
The Thursday 4th of July round got off to a spectacular start with the John Deere Classic.
There were 26 scores of 65 or lower, including four of 63, one of 62 and one of 61, and a historic 59 by Hayden Springer.
By the end of the first day, his four-stroke lead had dwindled to two as Sami Valimaki shot a 10-under 61.
Thursday’s round at TPC Deere Run saw 748 birdies and 26 eagles, a respectable number considering his birdie totals over the past six tournaments.
Total birdies in last six PGA Tour events
— Charles Schwab Challenge: 1,116 total, 323 in first round
— RBC Canadian Open: 1,473 total, 487 first round
— Monuments: 750 total, 230 in the first round
— U.S. Open: 1,007 total, 302 in first round
— Travelers Championship: 1,248 total, 265 in first round
— Rocket Mortgage Classic: 1,803 total, 587 in first round
Though there were only three full-field events, the number of birdies recorded at TPC Deere Run on Thursday was more notable: the most birdies in a first-round match this season with 30.
The last player to record that many or even close to that number of birdies in a first round on Tour this year was C.J. Kupp Byron Nelson, who recorded 683 birdies in the first round and 1,980 birdies total.
Earlier in the season, the Cognizant Classic drew a total of 1,613 players and saw 572 birdies recorded on Thursday, and last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic reached the same level with 587 birdies recorded over the day of play.
The John Deere Classic could feature the most birdies of any tournament this season, especially if conditions remain as they are now.
In case you missed it: Top news from professional golf
Check out the story below:
Golfers should avoid these 10 mistakes during a round
Thursday Golf Tips: 5 Best Ways to Stay Cool and Hydrated on the Golf Course
Today’s Golf Talk: A guide to fashion-forward yet patriotic Fourth of July golf fashion
Every Golfer Should Do These 10 Things During a Round
Justin Rose has qualified for the British Open. See who else is in at Royal Troon
LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia frustrated by slow play warning, misses British Open
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Instagram: @savannah_leigh_sports
