Doug Ghim maintains one-shot lead at PGAs John Deere Classic

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Doug Ghim tees off on the first hole during the second round of the John Deere Classic.

PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON – Doug Ghim holed out from the fairway for an eagle for the second straight day on July 4, adding three birdies in a three-under 68 to maintain a one-shot lead in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic.

“I guess holing out two days in a row is always nice,” said Ghim, who also chipped in for a birdie on the way to a 12-under total of 130 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

“It’s been a couple years since I think I holed out from the fairway. To get two (on) back-to-back days is great.”

He had teed off on 10 and opened with a birdie, but gave the stroke back with a three-putt bogey at the 12th.

He said the hole-out eagle was especially welcome at 15th, “not the easiest of the holes out here”.

“It just felt like a huge, huge boost so it helped me stay more patient because something good happened to me there,” he added.

Ghim, a 29-year-old hoping he can become the 25th player to claim a first tour title at this event, had five players on his heels at 11-under 131.

That included defending champion Davis Thompson, who had eight birdies in his eight-under 63, and US veteran Max Homa – who started the day one back and posted a three-under 68 to stay there.

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo and Americans Brian Campbell and David Lipsky were also at 11-under.

Another six players