(Silvis) Davis Thompson won his first career PGA Tour title Sunday with a 7-under 64 that set a new record for the lowest score in John Deere Championship history.
Holding a two-shot lead after the third round, Thompson birdied the first hole and his opponents were never able to get closer after that. He birdied five of the first six flags, eventually winning by four shots.
Thompson, a 25-year-old American, finished at 256 (28 under) to break the record set by Michael Kim in 2018.
The victory allows Thompson to qualify for the next three major tournaments, starting with the British Open in two weeks. He will also make his Masters debut next spring.
Thompson is the 24the golfer to earn his first PGA Tour victory at the John Deere Classic, more than any other tournament since 1970.
The final hour was the scene of a merciless fight for second place, which also gave a ticket to the British Open. Taiwanese CT Pan (64) finally prevailed with birdies on the 16e and 17e holes. But two youngsters pushed him to his limits, finishing tied for second.
Luke Clanton (63) took a one-shot par on the 18the hole, becoming the first player to reach 24 under. Michael Thorbjornsen came out of a sand trap on the fairway for birdie, shooting a 63 to join Clanton.
With this three-way tie, participation in the British Open went to Pan due to his world ranking.
Clanton still became the first amateur since Billy Joe Patton in 1958 to finish in the top 10 in back-to-back PGA Tour events. He finished 10the at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last week.
Ben Silverman (65) offered the best Canadian performance with a 266 (minus-6) good for the 18the echelon. His compatriots Adam Svensson (69) and Roger Sloan (70) respectively finished 34e and 61e.