Wesley Bryan surges to lead at John Deere Classic

Ryan Moore fought off a surging Ben Martin to win the John Deere Classic.

As a matter of fact, Moore held at least a share of the lead since the 17th hole of the second round.

“Been hitting the ball great all week, really the last couple weeks”, Bryan said on Friday.

“I was playing well and you hate to drop a shot on the last hole”, the four-time tour victor said.

Tied for third at 267 were Kim Whee of South Korea and Morgan Hoffmann who shot a closing 71.

Play was delayed for 3½ hours at TPC Deere Run by a storm that dropped just more than an inch of rain. Because of the wet conditions, the players were allowed use preferred lies in the fairways in the second round.

Bryan has made a fast rise since focusing on tournament golf previous year after working as a trick-shot artist.

Bryan earned his PGA Tour card by winning three events on the Web.com Tour, and he shared the 36-hole lead this week, but he only shot 2 under over the weekend with four birdies and three bogeys Sunday. It was a lot of golf holes I played today, so to play that solid all day long, I’m very encouraged about it.

He birdied five of seven holes to finish his front nine, then added another on his 11th hole to go to 11-under and move atop the leaderboard.

Round of the day: Kevin Na began the day well off the pace, but a bogey-free 64 helped Na crack the top 10.

Kyle Stanley (66) is one stroke behind Gillis at nine under overall.

Johnson opened with a 65 on Thursday. The 2012 tournament victor capped the run on the par-5 second and also birdied the par-4 sixth.

Martin took advantage by starting the third round with five straight birdies and then closed with birdies on four of his last five holes.

Three weeks ago at Carnoustie in the Senior British Open, the 52-year-old Jimenez took a four-stroke lead into the last day, only to shoot 75 and tie for third – three strokes behind victor Paul Broadhurst.

Three weeks ago at Carnoustie in the Senior British Open, Jimenez took a four-stroke lead into the last day, only to shoot 75 and tie for third – three strokes behind victor Paul Broadhurst.

Allenby shot even-par 142 at the John Deere Classic and missed the cut by three strokes.

Moore opened with three straight 65s in the event thrown off schedule by rain Thursday and Friday.

Moore wasn’t fazed by birdie binges from Morgan Hoffmann and Martin during a long Saturday, one in which many of the players – Moore included – had to play almost two rounds after numerous rain delays wreaked havoc with the tournament schedule.