2021 John Deere Classic: Chesson Hadley In Contention Again
By Tim Letcher
It wasn’t long ago that Chesson Hadley appeared to be on his way to a second PGA Tour victory before giving it away at the end. Now, at the 2021 John Deere Classic, Hadley is trying to put himself back into that position.
Hadley has just one win in his PGA Tour career. That came in 2014 when he won the Puerto Rico Open. Outside of that, Hadley has made 191 starts on tour without tasting victory.
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He appeared ready to end that streak a few weeks back at the Palmetto Championship. He shot 65 on Thursday, 66 on Friday and 68 on Saturday to take the lead into Sunday’s final round. There, he shot a 75 on Sunday to finish in a tie for second place, coming up short of winning yet again.
In his next start, Hadley opened with a 74 at the Travelers Championship. Even a 67 on Friday could not get him inside the cut line.
Last week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Hadley opened with a 69 on Thursday and followed that with a 70 on Friday. On Saturday, he slipped to a 72 and he had a 70 on Sunday. That left him in a tie for 52nd place.
On Thursday at TPC Deere Run, Hadley got off to a very good start.
Hadley got things started early in his Thursday round. Playing the back nine first, he birdied the par-5 10th hole to get into red figures. He then parred the next three holes to stay 1-under par.
Hadley birdied the par-4 14th hole to get to 2-under par. He would par the 15th and 16th holes to stay at that number.
He closed his first nine with a birdie at the par-5 17th hole and with another birdie at the par-4 18th hole. That gave Hadley a 4-under par 32 for his opening night.
Hadley parred the first and second holes as he started his back nine. He then birdied the par-3 third and the par-4 fourth to get to 6-under par.
After pars at the fifth and sixth holes, Hadley was at it again. He birdied the par-3 seventh hole, then the par-4 eighth to get to 8-under par and into a tie for the lead.
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Hadley would close his round with a par on the ninth hole. That left him with an 8-under par 63 on the day. He’s tied for the lead with Sebastian Munoz through one round.
After falling short just a few weeks ago, Hadley finds himself in the mix again. He hopes his past experience will help him convert the win this time around.