While the big names struggled at the Scottish Open and Women’s British Open, the headliners at the John Deere aren’t disappointing.
Steve Stricker (6-under 65) and defending champion Jordan Spieth (7-under 64) both went out Friday morning and put themselves in contention heading into the weekend. Stricker, a three-time champion at the Deere, finished at 9 under par. He made seven birdies and a bogey in the second round, including circles on three of the last four holes.
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Spieth, who opened with an even-par 71 on Thursday, came out firing Friday morning. Starting on the back nine, Spieth birdied his first two holes and made the turn in 5-under 31. He carded three more birdies on his second nine, with his only bogey coming at the par-4 9th.
Zach Johnson, the 2012 champion, held a share of the first-round lead and started his second round at 1:45 p.m. ET. Johnson, Stricker and Spieth have combined to win the last five John Deere Classics.