The John Deere Classic has produced some unusual and surprising moments this week, particularly on the third day of the tournament. This year’s competition at TPC Deere Run has posed challenges for players, primarily due to high winds and firmer greens, making it notably tougher compared to previous years.
Among the developing stories, Max Homa’s impressive comeback stands out, adding an uplifting narrative to the tournament. Typically, the John Deere Classic encourages low scores, but this year has seen an abundance of bogeys, with only a 15-under par leading the pack after day three—remarkably lower than previous tournaments, where scores exceeding 20-under par were common.
One of the most discussed moments of the day involved player Kevin Roy, who appeared to be leading with a score of 14-under par after 10 holes. A surprising ruling occurred when Roy found himself in a bunker on the 11th hole. After several attempts to free his ball, he sought clarification on whether he could rake the sand to improve his stance. This prompted commentary from Dame Laura Davies, who expressed her astonishment at the ruling—especially since it seemed to contradict traditional rules regarding sand hazards.
PGA Tour rules official Orlando Pope provided insight on the situation, explaining that because Roy had already played his ball from the bunker, he was allowed to rake the area. However, the ruling still raised eyebrows, as bunkers are designed to be hazards where players must face the consequences of their shots.
Despite the initial fortune of the ruling, Roy’s performance declined, and he finished the day tied for 10th at 11-under par. With the tournament wide open heading into Sunday, fans and players alike are eager to see how these storylines unfold in the final round.
The unexpected challenges and discussions around the rules have brought an added layer of intrigue to this year’s John Deere Classic, reminding everyone of the unpredictability and excitement that golf can offer.