Kris Blanks fired a 8-under par 63 to take a one shot lead into the second round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.
It was a remarkable – and surprising – round by the 38-year old who has had some huge struggles with his putter and missed more than his fair share of cuts in 2011; he has missed 11 of 20 cuts this season. Starting from the tenth hole, Blanks opened with birdie-bogey before carding three straight gains to turn in 3-under par 33.
Coming home he fared even better, making a birdie on his 10th before giving it back three holes later. From there, however, Blanks birdied the next six holes to post the first round lead; one shot ahead of 2012 Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III and Steve Marino, and Canadian Matt McQuillan.
“It was good to finally see some putts fall, which I’ve been struggling with all year,” said Blanks after. “So that was definitely a positive. It’s just fun to make some putts.”
Canadian Matt McQuillan’s round was almost as surprising as Blanks’. McQuillan had previously disowned the game in 2005 after some poor form, and returned to Canada as a bar tender for two years. He returned after on the Canadian Tour and then the eGolf Tour before re-qualifying through Qualifying School for his PGA Tour card.
However, 10 straight cuts missed has derailed his season and he has amassed just $12,000 in prize money so far in 2011. His last weekend stint was in the Sony Open where he finished T54. But seven birdies and an eagle, plus two bogeys see him in the thick of the action heading into day two.
On a day where there was plenty of low scores, no-one seriously threatened the opening 59 carded by Paul Goydos in 2010.
Mark Wilson and Kyle Stanley shot rounds of 65 to share fifth on six-under par, while defending champion Steve Stricker continued his fine recent form and showed he likes TPC Deere Run with an opening round 66 – 5-under par – to share seventh place alongside Goydos and tipster pich Zach Johnson as three in a group of 12 players to post 66s.
Johnson’s fellow tipster picks also started brightly – Jason Day opening with a 4-under 67, while Stroud opened with a 2-under par 69.
David Toms and Robert Garrigus both withdrew from the event midway through their rounds. Toms was troubled by a hip injury which will rule him out of next week’s British Open, while Garrigus tweaked back muscles. George McNeill and Scott Verplank also withdrew after completing their first rounds.
