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Zach Johnson tied for John Deere Classic lead

Sports

August 11th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — Zach Johnson made himself right at home in the John Deere Classic — again. From just up the road in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the two-time major champion shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday for a share of the lead with Patrick Rodgers and Ryan Moore in the suspended first round.

Play was delayed for 3 1/2 hours at TPC Deere Run by a storm that dropped just over an inch of rain. The round resumed at 3:08 p.m., with none of the players in the afternoon session able to finish. Johnson had five birdies in a seven-hole stretch in the bogey-free round that he started on the 10th tee. The 2012 tournament winner capped the run on the par-5 second and also birdied the par-4 sixth.

Scott Pinckney and Scott Brown were a stroke back at 66. Three-time champion Steve Stricker had a 70. Jordan Spieth chose not to defend his title because he didn’t think it would be appropriate in light of his decision to skip the Rio Olympics.