Veteran Brendon Todd Takes One-Stroke Lead Heading into Final Round of 2023 John Deere Classic
In a surprising turn of events at the 2023 John Deere Classic, it is experienced player Brendon Todd who will enter the final round alone at the top of the leaderboard. Todd, utilizing a strong performance in his third round, shot a 5-under 66 to surge ahead of a crowded field filled with young stars. He now holds a one-stroke lead over Alex Smalley, Denny McCarthy, and Adam Schenk.
While Smalley, McCarthy, and Schenk are all in search of their first victories on the PGA Tour, Todd has his sights set on his fourth win. The former Georgia Bulldog currently holds the sixth career 54-hole lead of his career, having converted to wins on two previous occasions. However, he faces tough competition as a total of 15 players are within four strokes of the lead.
Despite a poor third round, 36-hole leader Cameron Young is still within striking distance. Young, who signed for an even-par 71, was the only player inside the top 15 on the leaderboard to not break par on Saturday. He will need a strong performance in the final round to have a chance at the title. Other players in contention include Peter Kuest, J.T. Poston, Lucas Glover, and Chris Kirk.
Todd’s impressive putting has been a key factor in his success throughout the tournament. He has holed over 300 feet of putts through three days, showcasing a similar putting prowess to past John Deere Classic winners such as Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson, and Jordan Spieth. Todd recently reintroduced a Scotty Cameron putter into his bag and has been reaping the benefits. In addition, Todd has a new caddie, David Clark, who has been instrumental in his game and on-course demeanor.
In the midst of the intense competition, Todd remains focused and optimistic about his chances. When asked about his recent changes, Todd stated, “I don’t know, but I sure love when they do. David Clark is my caddie this week, and it has been a dream start for us. We have been getting along well. He’s helped me a lot with my game and on-course demeanor, so looking forward to tomorrow with him. And then I put a Scotty Cameron, Newport 2.5, back in. I’ve used it about 10 events the last two years. It’s the second week with it. I’m feeling really good, and we’ll just keep rolling.”
While Todd holds the lead, contenders like Denny McCarthy, Alex Smalley, and Adam Schenk are not far behind. McCarthy had a strong performance despite missing some scoring chances, and his consistent putting could be an advantage in securing his first PGA Tour win.
As the final round of the 2023 John Deere Classic approaches, all eyes will be on Todd and the chasing pack. With a tight leaderboard and several players within striking distance, it promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament.